When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, it makescovalent compoundan ionic compoundmetallic compound

When a metal reacts with a nonmetal, it forms an ionic compound. Here's the step by step process:

1. Ion Formation: Metals have a tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations). Nonmetals, on the other hand, have a tendency to gain electrons and form negative ions (anions).

2. Transfer of Electrons: In a reaction between a metal and a nonmetal, the metal loses electrons to the nonmetal. This is because metals have a lower electronegativity compared to nonmetals.

3. Formation of Ionic Bond: The positive metal ion and the negative nonmetal ion are attracted to each other due to opposite charges. This electrostatic force of attraction is known as an ionic bond.

4. Formation of Ionic Compound: The resulting product is an ionic compound. This compound is neutral overall, but consists of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions).

An example of this is the reaction between sodium (a metal) and chlorine (a nonmetal) to form sodium chloride (an ionic compound).