HelpContactFor teachers and institutes
>_StemPy Lab
Mock TestsClasses

>_StemPy Lab

Learn. Solve. Code the solutions. Test yourself.

Live examsFree mock exams, timed and rankedEveryone starts together, and your score and rank come the moment it ends.See the exams →

Learn

  • Physics
  • Chemistry
  • Mathematics
  • Biology
  • Python Programming
  • Statistics & Data Science
  • Classes
  • Groups

Practice

  • Problems
  • Quizzes
  • Mock Tests
  • Prepare for an Exam
  • Question Sets
  • Exams
  • Certificates
  • Python Labs
  • AI Practice Generator
  • Student-Created Tests

Community

  • Discussions
  • Resources
  • Notes
  • Glossary
  • Blog

Account

  • Log in
© 2026 senLearn. All rights reserved.HelpAboutContactPrivacy PolicyTerms of UseRefund Policy
  1. Glossary
  2. /Chemistry
  3. /Ionic Bond

What is Ionic Bond?

In short

An ionic bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between positive and negative ions, formed when one atom gives electrons to another. It usually forms between a metal and a non-metal.

In simple words

Sodium gives one electron to chlorine, making Na+\text{Na}^+Na+ and Cl−\text{Cl}^-Cl−. The ions pack into a lattice, which is why ionic solids have high melting points, are hard but brittle, and conduct electricity only when molten or dissolved. The charges decide the formula, so that the compound is neutral overall.

Example

Calcium (Ca2+\text{Ca}^{2+}Ca2+) with chlorine (Cl−\text{Cl}^-Cl−) needs two chloride ions to balance one calcium ion, so the formula is CaCl2\text{CaCl}_2CaCl2​.

Also searched as: ionic compound.

Learn it properly

  • Lessons on this topic
  • Practise problems
  • Test yourself

Related terms

  • Covalent Bond
  • Valency
  • Electronegativity

← All glossary terms

Learn it in

  1. Ionic and Covalent BondsClass 11 to 12
All lessons on this topic →

Practise

  1. Chlorine monofluoride, ClF, has a dipole moment of 0.88 D and a bond length of 163 pm…Medium
  2. The carbonate ion, CO₃²⁻, has three canonical forms…Medium
  3. Carbon to carbon bonds have these lengths and bond enthalpies: single, 154 pm and 348…Medium
For lithium fluoride, in kJ/mol: sublimation of lithium +159, half the bond enthalpy of…Easy
All problems on this topic →

Quick questions

  1. Which change to an ionic solid makes its lattice enthalpy larger?Medium
  2. Ammonia and nitrogen trifluoride have the same shape. Why is the dipole moment of…Hard
  3. Magnesium burns in air to give magnesium oxide. What is the electrovalence of magnesium…Easy

More Chemistry terms

  1. Acids, Bases and pH
  2. Alkane (Saturated Hydrocarbon)
  3. Allotrope
  4. Atom
  5. Bohr Model of the Atom
  6. Catalyst
All Chemistry terms →

Preparing for an exam?

Pick your exam to see its syllabus, where you stand in each unit and what to practise next.

See exam preparation