Question

Name the stable compounds that are formed when metals react with non-metals.

Answer 1

An ionic compound is formed by the electrostatic force of attraction between positive and negative ions. This bond is due to the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

• Example: In the compound $\mathrm{NaCl}$, Atomic number of sodium(metal) = 11 and atomic number of chlorine(non-metal) = 17
• Electronic configuration = 2,8,1 and electronic configuration = 2,8,7
• Sodium transfers one electron to attain a stable electronic configuration and becomes $\left({\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\right)$. Chlorine gains one electron to attain stable electronic configuration and becomes $\left({\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\right)$

Therefore, the stable compound that is formed when metals react with non-metals is an ionic bond.