Which type of bond is formed between a metal and a nonmetal with the transfer of electrons?

The formation of bonds between a metal and a nonmetal generally leads to the creation of ionic bonds, which are characterized by the transfer of electrons. In this type of bond, the metal atom donates one or more of its electrons to the nonmetal atom. This transfer results in the formation of positively charged metal cations and negatively charged nonmetal anions.

The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds them together, creating a stable ionic compound. This process is fundamentally different from other types of bonds; for instance, covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms rather than transferring them, hydrogen bonds are weaker interactions based on polar molecules, and metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' that are shared among a lattice of metal atoms. Therefore, the defining feature of ionic bonds—the transfer of electrons—makes them the correct answer in this context.