Answer:
Electrons are transferred – lons form lons are attracted to each other
Step-by-step explanation:
Let us use the formation of NaCl as an example. Sodium ion forms by transferring one electron to chlorine and chloride ions form by accepting this one electron from sodium hence electron transfer must be the first step in ionic bond formation. Once electrons are donated and received, ions are formed which are immediately attracted to each other to form the ionic compound.