What characterizes Ionic Bonds?

Ionic bonds are characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. This process typically occurs between atoms that have significantly different electronegativities, such as metals and nonmetals. In an ionic bond, one atom loses one or more electrons, becoming a positively charged ion (cation), while the other atom gains those electrons, becoming a negatively charged ion (anion). The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond, resulting in a stable compound.

Understanding ionic bonds is crucial in the study of chemistry because these bonds play a vital role in the formation of various compounds, especially salts. This contrasts with the sharing of electrons seen in covalent bonds, where electrons are shared between atoms rather than transferred. The other options do not accurately describe ionic bonding, as they either refer to covalent bonding, chemical reactions involving energy changes, or processes unrelated to the bonding of atoms.