Between which types of elements do ionic bonds occur, and how do electrons act within the bond?

metals and metals, electrons freely moving
nonmetals and nonmetals, electrons shared
metals and nonmetals, electrons transferred
nonmetals and metals, electrons shared

1 answer

Ionic bonds occur between metals and nonmetals. In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from the metal to the nonmetal. The metal loses one or more electrons, becoming a positively charged ion (cation), while the nonmetal gains those electrons, becoming a negatively charged ion (anion). This transfer of electrons results in an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions, which holds them together in an ionic compound.

So, the correct description is: metals and nonmetals, electrons transferred.