When atoms with a large electronegativity difference interact, one atom completely takes electrons from the other atom, resulting in the formation of an ionic bond. When the electronegative atom takes the electron, it becomes negatively charged, forming an anion, while the atom that loses an electron becomes positively charged, forming a cation. The ions are then attracted to each other because of their opposite charges. The strength of the ionic bond is directly related to the electronegativity difference between the two ions and the size of the ions; the greater the electronegativity difference and the smaller the ions, the stronger the ionic bond will be.