The cartoon likely demonstrates ionic bonding where a metal atom loses electrons to become a cation, and a nonmetal atom gains electrons to become an anion, resulting in an ionic compound through electrostatic forces.
To explain the cartoon that presumably depicts ionic bonding, we'll incorporate the given terms appropriately. Ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to the formation of ions.
Cations are positively charged ions that are formed when a metal atom loses one or more electrons. Conversely, anions are negatively charged ions formed when a nonmetal atom gains one or more electrons. When these oppositely charged ions come together through electrostatic forces, an ionic compound is formed.
Salt is an everyday example of an ionic compound, specifically when sodium (a metal) loses an electron to become a monatomic ion (Na+), and chlorine (a nonmetal) gains an electron to become a monatomic ion (Cl−).