Ionic Bonds
An ionic bond is a chemical bond formed by the electron attraction between positive and negative ions. Ionic bonds are made when an electron from the valence shell of one atom is transferred to the valence shell of another atom. The atom that lost an electron becomes a positive ion and the atom that gains the electron becomes a negative ion.In NaCl the sodium ion has one less electron than protons so it has a positive charge. The chlorine ion has one more electron than protons so it has a negative charge. Since postives are attracted to negatives the two ions are attracted to each other. The atom that loses an electron becomes a cation which is positive, and the atom that gains an electron becomes an anion which is negative. The nature of the ionic bonds facilitates the formation of ionic solids by attracting other charged atoms to form a solid. The ions are arranged in a crystalline structure with each Na+ ion attracted to several Cl- ions and each Cl- ion attracted to several Na+ ions. There are no NaCl molecules.