Final answer:
An ionic bond is formed between a metal and a nonmetal, where one or more electrons are transferred, resulting in the formation of ions and a strong electrostatic attraction.
Step-by-step explanation:
An ionic bond is formed between a metal and a nonmetal. In this type of bond, one or more electrons are transferred from the metal to the nonmetal, resulting in the formation of ions. These ions are attracted to each other due to opposite charges, creating a strong electrostatic attraction and forming an ionic compound.
For example, in the compound AlCl3 (aluminum chloride), aluminum (a metal) loses three electrons to become Al3+ ion, while chlorine (a nonmetal) gains one electron to become Cl- ion. The positive and negative ions are attracted to each other, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond. Overall, the type of bond formed between atoms depends on the types of atoms involved and their positions in the periodic table.