* Zinc (Zn) is a metal and tends to lose two electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it a cation with a +2 charge (Zn²⁺).

* Chlorine (Cl) is a nonmetal and tends to gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration. This makes it an anion with a -1 charge (Cl⁻).

When zinc and chlorine react, zinc atoms lose two electrons each, and two chlorine atoms gain one electron each. This results in the formation of the ionic compound Zinc Chloride (ZnCl₂):

* Zn²⁺ + 2Cl⁻ → ZnCl₂

The electrostatic attraction between the positively charged zinc ions and the negatively charged chloride ions forms the ionic bond.