Question

How is an ionic compound formed?

Answer 1

Definition of ionic compound:

1. The compounds that are formed by ions are known as ionic compounds.

Formation of Ionic Compounds:

1. One atom loses electrons and forms a positively charged ion i.e. cation.
2. The electrons lost by one atom are gained by another atom which forms a negatively charged ion i.e. anion.
3. Thus, ionic compounds are formed by the loss and gain of electrons between two atoms.

Example:

1. Sodium chloride $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{NaCl}\mathbf{\right)}$ is formed when the sodium atom loses one electron and this electron is gained by the chlorine atom.
2. As a result, sodium ion $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{Na}}^{\mathbf{+}}\mathbf{\right)}$ and chloride ion $\mathbf{\left(}{\mathbf{Cl}}^{\mathbf{-}}\mathbf{\right)}$ are formed.
3. Thus, Sodium chloride $\mathbf{\left(}\mathbf{NaCl}\mathbf{\right)}$ is formed by the gain or loss of electrons between atoms and it is an ionic compound.

Thus, ionic compounds are formed by the loss and gain of electrons between two atoms.