L7.2: Ionic Bonding

• An ionic bond is formed when a metal transfers electrons to a nonmetal to form ions, which attract each other to give a solid compound. The total number of electrons lost by the metal atom(s) equals the total number of electrons gained by the nonmetal atoms.
• Ionic compounds are crystalline solids with very high melting and boiling points.
• When ionic compounds dissolve in water, they separate into cations and anions, increasing the conductivity of the solution.