Concept:In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from one atom to another, not shared equally.
Explanation:An ionic bond forms when a metal (electropositive atom) transfers electrons to a non-metal (electronegative atom).
When the ionic bond is broken, the transferred electrons remain with the atom that attracts them more strongly.
The most electronegative atom has the greatest pull on these electrons.
Therefore, it gains the bonding electrons and becomes a negative ion.
The other atom loses the electrons and becomes a positive ion.
Answer:C. gained by the most electronegative atom