What type of bond is formed between a metal and a non-metal?

An ionic bond is formed between a metal and a non-metal through the transfer of electrons. In this type of bond, the metal atom typically loses one or more electrons, becoming a positively charged ion (cation), while the non-metal atom gains those electrons, resulting in a negatively charged ion (anion). The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates a strong ionic bond.

This bond differs from a covalent bond, which involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, typically occurring between two non-metals. Metallic bonds, on the other hand, are formed in metals where there is a 'sea of electrons' that are delocalized among a lattice of positive metal ions, providing properties such as conductivity and malleability. A polar covalent bond occurs when electrons are shared unequally between two different non-metals, resulting in partial charges but is not applicable to a metal-non-metal interaction.

Thus, the formation of ionic bonds is a fundamental characteristic of the interaction between metals and non-metals, making it the correct choice in this context.