Question

What is the name of the bond formed when a metal atom combines with the atom of a non-metal?

Answer 1

An ionic bond or electrovalent bond:

• An Ionic bond is formed when one of the atoms can donate electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration and the other atom needs electrons to achieve the inert gas electron configuration. Or, it is formed when a metal atom combines with the atom of a non-metal by exchange of electrons.
• This chemical bond is formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another. An ionic bond is also known as an electrovalent bond, and ionic compounds are actually composed of Ionic bonds.

Example of ionic bond:

• Sodium chloride(NaCl) is a compound that contains ionic bonds. As Sodium chloride consists of 1 sodium atom and 1 chlorine atom. Sodium has 1 valence electron, so it prefers to lose this 1 electron to attain a noble gas configuration.
• Chlorine has 7 electrons in its valence shell. So, it prefers to gain 1 electron to attain a noble gas configuration. Hence the complete transfer of electrons takes place from sodium to chlorine forming ionic bonds.
  
• Final Answer: Ionic bond or electrovalent bond is formed when a metal atom combines with the atom of a non-metal.

Ionic bond or electrovalent bond: