Which of the following best describes ionic bonding?

Ionic bonding is best described as the process where atoms transfer electrons from one to another. This occurs typically between metals and nonmetals. In ionic bonds, the metal atom donates one or more of its electrons to the nonmetal atom, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions (cations) and negatively charged ions (anions). The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds them together in a stable compound.

This process contrasts sharply with covalent bonding, where atoms share electrons to achieve full outer electron shells, leading to more stable molecular configurations. While it may sound similar to how atoms interact in a covalent bond, it fundamentally involves a different mechanism—transfer versus sharing.

The other options presented do not accurately depict ionic bonding; atoms do not merely combine through covalent bonds in ionic interactions, nor is there a scenario where they do not interact at all in ionic bonding, as this would negate the very formation of such bonds. Therefore, the transfer of electrons is the defining feature of ionic bonding, making the provided answer correct.