A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

What is formed as a result of ionic bonding?

1. Molecules with shared electrons

2. Completely neutral atoms

3. Oppositely charged ions

4. Polar covalent compounds

The correct answer is: Oppositely charged ions

Ionic bonding occurs when atoms transfer electrons from one to another, resulting in the formation of charged particles known as ions. Specifically, one atom loses electrons and becomes a positively charged ion, while another atom gains those electrons and becomes a negatively charged ion. This transfer of electrons creates a strong electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions, leading to the formation of ionic compounds. This process is distinct from molecular bonding, where atoms share electrons, resulting in the formation of molecules rather than ions. Therefore, while other options reference molecules or neutral atoms, they do not accurately describe the outcome of ionic bonding. In contrast, the correct answer highlights that the formation of oppositely charged ions is the fundamental result of ionic bonding, making it the most appropriate choice in this context.