Which process is fundamentally involved in the formation of an ionic bond?

The formation of an ionic bond is fundamentally based on the transfer of electrons between atoms. In this process, one atom donates one or more of its electrons to another atom. This typically occurs between a metal and a non-metal. The metal, which tends to have a low ionization energy, loses electrons easily, becoming a positively charged ion (cation). The non-metal, which has a high electron affinity, accepts those electrons, becoming a negatively charged ion (anion).

This complete transfer of electrons results in the formation of oppositely charged ions that are held together by strong electrostatic forces. These forces create a stable ionic compound, characterized by a lattice structure. Thus, the correct understanding of the ionic bond emphasizes the transfer of electrons rather than the sharing of electrons, which is the key characteristic of covalent bonds. The other options pertain to different mechanisms or types of bonding, emphasizing why the transfer of electrons is the defining feature of ionic bonding.