Types of Chemical Bonds

Study Notes

Formed between two atoms with a large difference in electronegativity (≥ 1.7)
One atom loses an electron(s) to become a cation, while the other atom gains an electron(s) to become an anion
Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges
Attractive forces between the oppositely charged ions hold them together
Typically found in compounds between metals and nonmetals

Formed between two atoms with a small difference in electronegativity (≤ 1.7)
Atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to form a bond
Electrons are shared between atoms, resulting in a covalent bond
Can be polar or nonpolar, depending on the difference in electronegativity between the atoms
Found in molecules, including those composed of nonmetals and some metals

Bond Strength: Ionic bonds are generally stronger than covalent bonds
Bond Polarity: Covalent bonds can be polar, while ionic bonds are always polar
Bond Formation: Ionic bonds involve electron transfer, while covalent bonds involve electron sharing
Bond Type: Ionic bonds are typically found in solids, while covalent bonds are found in molecules (gases, liquids, and solids)

Ionic bond: NaCl (sodium chloride), where sodium loses an electron to become a cation and chlorine gains an electron to become an anion
Covalent bond: H2 (hydrogen gas), where two hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons to form a bond
Polar covalent bond: HCl (hydrogen chloride), where the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and chlorine results in a partial positive charge on hydrogen and a partial negative charge on chlorine

Ionic bonds form between atoms with a significant difference in electronegativity (≥ 1.7).
In ionic bonds, one atom loses an electron(s) to become a cation, while the other atom gains an electron(s) to become an anion.
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges.
Attractive forces between the oppositely charged ions hold them together.
Ionic bonds are typically found in compounds between metals and nonmetals.

Covalent bonds form between atoms with a small difference in electronegativity (≤ 1.7).
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between atoms.
The sharing of electrons results in a covalent bond.
Covalent bonds can be polar or nonpolar, depending on the difference in electronegativity between the atoms.
Covalent bonds are found in molecules, including those composed of nonmetals and some metals.

Ionic bonds involve electron transfer, while covalent bonds involve electron sharing.

Ionic bonds are typically found in solids, while covalent bonds are found in molecules (gases, liquids, and solids).

NaCl (sodium chloride) is an example of an ionic bond, where sodium loses an electron to become a cation and chlorine gains an electron to become an anion.
H2 (hydrogen gas) is an example of a covalent bond, where two hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons to form a bond.
HCl (hydrogen chloride) is an example of a polar covalent bond, where the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and chlorine results in a partial positive charge on hydrogen and a partial negative charge on chlorine.