Which columns in the periodic table form ionic bonds with each other?

The correct answer highlights the relationship between the elements in Columns I and VII of the periodic table, which are known for their tendency to form ionic bonds. Column I contains the alkali metals (like sodium and potassium), which have one electron in their outermost shell. When these elements react, they tend to lose that single electron to achieve a full valence shell, resulting in a positively charged ion (cation).

In contrast, Column VII consists of the halogens (like chlorine and fluorine), which have seven electrons in their outer shell and are one electron short of achieving a stable octet. This makes them highly electronegative and eager to gain one electron to fulfill their valence shell, resulting in the formation of negatively charged ions (anions).

When an alkali metal from Column I interacts with a halogen from Column VII, the metal donates its single valence electron to the halogen. This transfer of electrons leads to the formation of oppositely charged ions, which attract each other due to electrostatic forces, forming an ionic bond.

Understanding the behavior of elements in these specific columns is essential in explaining why they tend to form ionic compounds through electron transfer, as seen in common table salt (sodium chloride), where sodium