What is an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is an electrostatic interaction between a cation(positive) and an anion(negative). These bonds are formed when a metal forms a compound with a non-metal.

Metals lose electrons and become cations.

Non-metals gain electrons and become anions.

OP
Answered by Olivia P. Chemistry tutor

4235 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Can an ionic substance conduct electricity?


Explain why chlorine (Cl2) is a gas at room temperature, but sodium chloride (NaCl) is a solid at room temperature.


What is Cracking and why is it carried out?


Georgia has a bucket of sandy sea water, and wants to separate it out into it's components: sea-salt, water and sand. What steps should she take to achieve this? How can she check at the end that the water is pure?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning