Advanced Placement (AP) Chemistry Practice Exam

Ionic bonds are primarily characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom, typically a metal, to another atom, usually a nonmetal. This transfer results in the formation of charged ions: cations (positively charged) and anions (negatively charged). The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms a strong bond, characteristic of ionic compounds. This fundamental understanding of ionic bonding highlights why the statement regarding the electron transfer is accurate, as it defines the basic mechanism by which ionic compounds are formed. Other options present different bonding scenarios; for instance, shared electrons indicate covalent bonds, while characteristics like delocalized electrons pertain to metallic bonding, not ionic interactions.