are only "happy" when their outside layers are either completely full or completely empty. The atom on the left had 2 atoms on its outside layer. To get a completely empty layer, it loses two electrons. Taking away 2 negative electrons makes it doubly positive (2+).
The atom on the right had only 6 electrons on its outside layer. It needs 8 to have a full layer so it gains two electrons. Gaining 2 negative electrons makes it doubly negative (2-).
Opposites attract so the (2+) and the (2-) stay together. This is an ionic bond. The bonds are very strong so ionic compounds have very high melting and boiling points.
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