Definition

1. Noun:
   • A type of chemical bond: An "electrovalent bond" is a chemical bond formed through the complete transfer of one or more electrons from one atom to another. This transfer creates ions—a positive ion (cation) from the atom that loses electrons and a negative ion (anion) from the atom that gains electrons. The bond is the result of the strong electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Table salt, sodium chloride, is held together by an electrovalent bond between sodium and chlorine ions.
  • The formation of an electrovalent bond typically occurs between atoms with very different electronegativities, such as a metal and a nonmetal.

Advanced Usage

• "Ionic bond" as a synonym: In modern chemistry, the term "ionic bond" is more commonly used than "electrovalent bond." The concept is identical.
  • The electrovalent bond (or ionic bond) in magnesium oxide is very strong.

Variants and Related Words

• Ionic bond (n): The modern and more frequently used synonym for "electrovalent bond."
• Electrovalency (n): The number of electrons an atom loses or gains to form an electrovalent bond.
  • The electrovalency of sodium is +1.
• Covalent bond (n): A contrasting type of chemical bond where atoms share electrons rather than transferring them.

Synonyms

• Ionic bond: The direct and most common synonym.
• Electrostatic bond: A term emphasizing the attractive force between the resulting ions.

Related Phrases and Concepts

• Form an electrovalent bond: The process of creating this type of bond.
  • Magnesium and oxygen form an electrovalent bond to create magnesium oxide.
• Characterized by electrovalent bonding: Describing a compound whose structure is primarily held together by these bonds.
  • This crystalline solid is characterized by electrovalent bonding.

Noun

1. a chemical bond in which one atom loses an electron to form a positive ion and the other atom gains an electron to form a negative ion