Which of the following describes an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is characterized by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. When one atom, typically a metal, loses an electron, it becomes a positively charged cation. Conversely, the atom that gains the electron, often a nonmetal, becomes negatively charged as an anion. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates the ionic bond. This type of bond typically occurs between elements that have significantly different electronegativities, where one atom can effectively strip away electrons from another, resulting in a stable compound formed through the resultant ionic charges.

Understanding this concept is crucial in distinguishing ionic bonds from covalent bonds, which are formed by the sharing of electron pairs, typically occurring between nonmetals with similar electronegativities.