What is ionic bonding?

Ionic bonding occurs between positive and negatively charged ions. A simple example is Sodium Chloride. Sodium has 1 outer shell electron which it wants to lose in order to create a stable electronic configuration (full outer shell). Chlorine has 7 outer shell electrons so it wants to gain one more in order to form a stable electronic configuration.
So if sodium loses one electron and gives it to chlorine this solves the problem. Sodium loses one negatively charged electron and becomes positively charged (1+) whilst chlorine gains one negatively charged electron and becomes negatively charged (1-)
The oppositely charged ions attract and an ionic bond is formed.

EN
Answered by Elizabeth N. Chemistry tutor

2609 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Explain how electrons are arranged.


Zinc reacts with sulphuric acid (Zn + H2SO4 --> ZnSO4 + H2). Write out two separate equations for the species that are oxidised and reduced.


What is a mole?


What the structure of an atom, and how is the charge and mass calculated?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2025 by IXL Learning