Which of the following best describes an ionic bond?

• A. A bond formed by the overlap of atomic orbitals in metallic elements.
• B. A bond formed by the equal sharing of electrons between two identical atoms.
• C. A bond formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal.
• D. A bond formed by the sharing of electrons between two nonmetal atoms.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that an ionic bond is a type of chemical bond formed between atoms with significantly different electronegativities, typically a metal and a nonmetal.
2. Recognize that in an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from the metal atom (which tends to lose electrons) to the nonmetal atom (which tends to gain electrons), resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions.
3. Recall that this transfer of electrons creates electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions, which holds them together in an ionic compound.
4. Differentiate ionic bonds from other types of bonds: covalent bonds involve sharing electrons (either equally or unequally) between atoms, and metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' shared among metal atoms.
5. Conclude that the best description of an ionic bond is 'a bond formed by the transfer of electrons from a metal to a nonmetal,' as this captures the essential electron transfer and electrostatic attraction characteristic of ionic bonding.