Question

Define electrovalent bond.

Answer 1

Electrovalent bond is nothing but ionic bond. It is the bond formed by electrostatic force of attraction between oppositely charged ions.

It involves transfer of electrons. One atom loses electrons to form a positive ion and the other atom gains electrons to form negative ion.

Best example is sodium chloride NaCl. Sodium (metal) loses an electron and forms Na⁺ ion and chlorine (non-metal) gains an electron and forms Cl^- ion. Thus, the two ions are held together by electrostatic bond.

This type of bonding takes place between a metal and a non-metal.