Chemistry

Question Analysis
This question involves the electron transfer mechanism during ionic bond formation in potassium chloride.

Key Concept Explanation
Ionic bonding typically occurs between a metal and a nonmetal, where the metal loses electrons to become a cation and the nonmetal gains electrons to become an anion.

Step-by-step Solution
1. Identify the elements involved: potassium (K) and chlorine (Cl).
2. Determine the number of valence electrons for each element: K has 1 valence electron, and Cl has 7 valence electrons.
3. Potassium (K) transfers its 1 valence electron to chlorine (Cl).
4. Potassium (K) loses 1 electron and becomes a positively charged ion (K⁺).
5. Chlorine (Cl) gains 1 electron and becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl⁻).
6. The electrostatic attraction betwe...