What is the main characteristic of ionic bonding?

The main characteristic of ionic bonding is that it involves electrostatic forces between positive and negative ions. In ionic bonding, atoms transfer electrons from one to another, typically between a metal and a non-metal. This transfer creates positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The resulting electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms a strong bond, leading to the creation of ionic compounds.

This strong attraction is responsible for many of the properties observed in ionic compounds, such as high melting points and hardness. In contrast, bonds formed solely between non-metals usually lead to covalent bonding, which does not involve the transfer of electrons and consequently does not create ions. Additionally, ionic compounds tend to be solid at room temperature rather than liquid, and they typically have high melting and boiling points rather than low ones.

Understanding these characteristics helps clarify how ionic bonding functions and why it results in specific physical and chemical properties for the compounds formed through this type of bonding.