Which of the following best describes an ionic bond?

• A. A bond formed by the overlap of atomic nuclei
• B. A bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another
• C. A bond formed by the attraction between nonpolar molecules
• D. A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an ionic bond is a type of chemical bond formed between atoms when one atom transfers electrons to another, resulting in oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
2. Recall that a covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, not the transfer, so it does not describe an ionic bond.
3. Recognize that a bond formed by the overlap of atomic nuclei is not a standard description of chemical bonding; bonds involve electrons rather than nuclei directly.
4. Note that attraction between nonpolar molecules refers to intermolecular forces like London dispersion forces, which are not ionic bonds.
5. Conclude that the best description of an ionic bond is 'a bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another,' leading to electrostatic attraction between ions.