In an ionic bond, how are valence electrons managed?

In an ionic bond, valence electrons are transferred from one atom to another. This transfer typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, where the metal donates one or more of its valence electrons, resulting in a positively charged ion (cation), while the nonmetal accepts those electrons to become a negatively charged ion (anion). This process of electron transfer leads to the formation of oppositely charged ions, which then attract each other due to electrostatic forces, creating an ionic compound.

Understanding the mechanism of ionic bonding is crucial because it illustrates how atoms achieve stable electron configurations, usually striving for eight valence electrons, known as the octet rule. This foundational concept is essential in predicting the behavior of elements during chemical reactions and the formation of various compounds.