Final answer:
Ionic bonding refers to the transfer of electron(s) from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions that are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces. Covalent bonding, however, involves sharing electrons and is different from the ionic bond.
Step-by-step explanation:
The type of bonding that refers to a transfer of electron(s) is ionic bonding. In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred completely from one atom to another. The atom that donates an electron becomes a positively charged ion (cation), and the atom that gains the electron becomes a negatively charged ion (anion). This transfer leads to the attraction between the oppositely charged ions, forming the ionic bond. Covalent bonding is quite different; it involves the sharing of electrons between atoms. In a simple covalent bond, such as in a hydrogen molecule, two hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons equally.
In summary, when discussing an ionic bond, think of a complete transfer of electrons resulting in the formation of charged ions held together by electrostatic forces. On the other hand, a covalent bond involves atoms sharing electrons, either equally or unequally, depending on whether the bond is nonpolar or polar, respectively. Hydrogen bonds and metallic bonds are different types of chemical bonds that do not involve the transfer of electrons like ionic bonds.