When a metal and a non-metal bond together, the type of chemical bond formed is an ionic bond. This occurs because the metal atom loses one or more electrons to become a positively charged ion (cation), while the non-metal atom gains those electrons to become a negatively charged ion (anion). The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds them together, forming the ionic bond
. This transfer of electrons happens due to the significant difference in electronegativity between metals and non-metals-typically greater than 1.7 on the Pauling scale-which favors electron transfer rather than sharing
. Examples include sodium chloride (NaCl), where sodium (a metal) loses an electron and chlorine (a non-metal) gains an electron, resulting in Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions bonded ionically
. In summary:
- Metal atom loses electrons → becomes cation (positive ion)
- Non-metal atom gains electrons → becomes anion (negative ion)
- The bond formed is an ionic bond due to electrostatic attraction between cations and anions
