* Electronegativity Difference: Zinc (Zn) is a metal with a relatively low electronegativity, while oxygen (O) is a nonmetal with a high electronegativity. This significant difference in electronegativity leads to the transfer of electrons.
* Electron Transfer: Oxygen has a strong tendency to gain two electrons to achieve a stable octet configuration. Zinc, on the other hand, readily loses two electrons to achieve a stable configuration. This transfer of electrons results in the formation of ions: Zn²⁺ (zinc cation) and O²⁻ (oxide anion).
* Electrostatic Attraction: The oppositely charged ions (Zn²⁺ and O²⁻) attract each other through electrostatic forces, forming an ionic bond.
The resulting compound is zinc oxide (ZnO), a white solid with a wide range of applications.
