Ionic bonds involve ___ electrons.
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons.
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons.
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms. To determine the number of electrons involved in an ionic bond, we need to know the elements involved. Ionic bonds occur between a metal and a non-metal.
In an ionic bond, the metal atom loses one or more electrons to form a positively charged ion, called a cation. The non-metal atom gains these electrons, resulting in a negatively charged ion, called an anion. The attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.
For example, when sodium (Na) reacts with chlorine (Cl) to form sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium donates one electron to chlorine. Sodium becomes a Na+ cation, having lost one electron and acquiring a positive charge, while chlorine becomes a Cl- anion, having gained one electron and acquiring a negative charge. The electrostatic attraction between Na+ and Cl- results in the formation of an ionic bond.
Therefore, in an ionic bond, the number of electrons involved depends on the difference in the number of valence electrons between the metal and non-metal atoms. This can vary from the transfer of one electron to several electrons, depending on the elements involved.