Here's why:
* Opposite charges attract: Ionic bonds arise from the electrostatic attraction between a positively charged ion (cation) and a negatively charged ion (anion).
* Electron transfer: One atom (typically a metal) loses electrons to become a positively charged ion, while the other atom (typically a nonmetal) gains these electrons to become negatively charged.
* Strong bond: The strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions creates a strong bond, resulting in a stable compound.
Example: Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a classic example of an ionic compound. Sodium (Na) loses an electron to become a positively charged ion (Na+), while chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to become a negatively charged ion (Cl-). The oppositely charged ions then attract each other to form the ionic compound NaCl.
