Understanding Ionic Bonding in Sodium Chloride

In the context of chemical bonding, understanding the differences between ionic and covalent bonds is essential. Ionic bonds occur when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between atoms. Consider two common elements, sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl). Sodium has a single electron in its outermost shell and chlorine has seven electrons in its outer shell. Which of the following statements best describes the bond formed between sodium and chlorine?