What is ionic bonding and what are the characteristics of this type of bonding?

The definition of ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged particles. This occurs between a non-metal and a metal where the electron transfer goes from a metal to a non-metal. Therefore, the loss of an electron in the metal means that it is positively charged (cation) and the addition of an electron in a non-metal means that is is negatively charged (anion). In ionic bonding, metals always become positive and non-metals become negative. The result of ionic bonding usually forms big lattice structures, like salt (NaCl).
Compounds that are ionically bonded have high melting and boiling points - this is because there is a strong attraction between oppositely charged ions. They also conduct electricity only when molten or in a liquid form as electrons are only free to move and pass on the current at these states. Ionic commends are brittle as under force, ions with the same charge come in force with each other and repel, breaking the compound apart. They are soluble due to their polarity (which means their charge), when in contact with water, water will interfere with the electrostatic attraction and pull the ions away.