A chemical bond is a mutual attraction between the nuclei and valence electrons of two different atoms. This attraction results in the two atoms binding together. An ionic bond, also called an electron-transfer bond, is a type of chemical bond that is a result of the electromagnetic attraction between ions of opposite charges, i.e., a cation (a positively charged ion) and an anion (a negatively charged ion). An ion is an atom or group of atoms that has acquired an electrical charge due to the loss or gain of electrons. In an ionic bond, an atom gives or receives electrons from another atom. This is in contrast to covalent bonding, where two atoms share electron pairs between them. An ionic compound consists of anions and cations combined such that the total charge of the molecule is zero. All salts are ionic compounds.

One characteristic that...