Ionic bonding is a type of chemical bond that occurs between two atoms when one atom transfers electrons to another. This process typically happens between a metal and a non-metal. The metal atom loses one or more electrons, becoming a positively charged ion, while the non-metal atom gains those electrons, becoming a negatively charged ion. The opposite charges attract, creating a strong electrostatic force that holds the ions together. Common examples of ionic compounds include table salt, or sodium chloride, which forms when sodium donates an electron to chlorine. This transfer of electrons and the resulting attraction between the charged ions are what characterize ionic bonding, leading to the formation of stable compounds.