What type of bond typically forms between metals and nonmetals?

The bond that typically forms between metals and nonmetals is the ionic bond. This type of bond occurs when a metal atom donates one or more of its electrons to a nonmetal atom. The metal, which has a tendency to lose electrons and form positive ions (cations), and the nonmetal, which tends to gain electrons to become negative ions (anions), create a strong electrostatic attraction that results in the formation of an ionic compound.

In ionic bonding, the properties of the resulting compound differ significantly from those of the individual elements. Ionic compounds often have high melting and boiling points, are generally soluble in water, and conduct electricity when dissolved in water or molten, as the ions are free to move.

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between nonmetals, while metallic bonds exist between metal atoms and are characterized by a 'sea of electrons' that facilitate conductivity and malleability. Concepts like polar ionic bonds refer to situations involving unequal sharing of electrons, which typically arises in covalent bonding scenarios rather than in the clear-cut electron transfer seen in ionic bonds. Therefore, the ionic bond perfectly describes the bonding behavior expected between metals and nonmetals.