Which of the following describes an ionic bond?

An ionic bond is best described as the exchanging of electrons. In this type of bond, one atom donates one or more of its electrons to another atom. This typically occurs between a metal and a nonmetal, where the metal loses electrons to achieve a positive charge (cation), and the nonmetal gains those electrons to obtain a negative charge (anion). This transfer of electrons leads to the formation of charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction, resulting in an ionic compound.

The other options do not accurately characterize an ionic bond. The sharing of electrons is indicative of a covalent bond, whereas the attraction between two nonmetals usually suggests covalent bonding rather than ionic. Finally, the formation of a gaseous compound does not necessarily relate to the ionic bonding process, as ionic compounds typically form solid crystals at room temperature.