Final answer:
An ionic bond is formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the creation of positively and negatively charged ions that are attracted to each other.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ionic bond between two atoms is formed as a result of the transfer of electrons from one atom to the other. This transfer creates a positively charged ion, or cation, and a negatively charged ion, or anion, which are then attracted to each other due to their opposite charges. Unlike covalent bonding where electrons are shared between atoms, in an ionic bond, the atoms involved undergo a full transfer of electrons to achieve more stable electron configurations, hence the formation of ions.