Question

There are several different types of chemical bonds. When atoms gain or lose electrons to form more stable electron configurations, they form bonds _______.

Answer 1

Atoms form ionic bonds when they gain or lose electrons to achieve stable electron configurations, resulting in ions with a full outer shell.

Step-by-step explanation:

When atoms gain or lose electrons to form more stable electron configurations, they form bonds known as ionic bonds. Ionic bonds are a type of chemical bond where atoms transfer valence electrons to achieve a full outer energy level. This process forms ions, which are atoms that have gained or lost electrons, resulting in a positive or negative charge.

Ions such as cations, which are positive ions, and anions, which are negative ions, become stable because their outer electron shells are filled, creating an energetically more stable electron configuration. Thus, the motivation for atoms to form chemical bonds—whether ionic, covalent, or metallic—is to achieve greater stability through a full outer shell of electrons.