The chemical bond formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another is called ionic bond. It is also known as electrovalent bond. And the compounds containing ionic bonds are called ionic ...

Remember that the lattice arrangement is giant - for example, a single grain of salt may contain 1.2 × 10 18 (1,200,000,000,000,000,000) ions. The lattice arrangement continues in three dimensions.

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.

Listen to the full series on BBC Sounds. Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, so they are in the solid state at room temperature. See the study guide on the three states of matter to ...