Final answer:
An ionic bond is formed by the electrostatic forces that attract a positive ion to a negative ion, resulting in compounds like table salt with a neutral overall charge.
Step-by-step explanation:
The attraction between a positive ion and a negative ion results in an ionic bond. Ionic bonds are a type of chemical bonding characterized by the electrostatic forces that hold ions with opposite charges together. As seen in examples like sodium chloride, positively charged sodium ions (Na+) and negatively charged chloride ions (Cl-) combine to form a crystalline structure, where the overall charge is neutralized. This process exemplifies ionic bonding, which differs from covalent bonding where atoms share electrons rather than transferring them.
Oppositely charged ions attract due to simple Coulombic attraction, creating ionic compounds with a characteristic 3D crystal lattice. This lattice minimizes repulsive interactions and maximizes the attractive forces, aiding in the stability of the ionic compound. The strength of the ionic bond is influenced by the magnitude of the charges involved and the distance between the ions. Typically, ionic bonds are stronger than other types of non-metallic bonds but weaker than metallic bonds.