What is the difference between a covalent bond and an ionic bond?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking about the distinctions between covalent bonds and ionic bonds, including their characteristics and how they differ in terms of electron sharing and transfer.
Answer
Ionic bonds transfer electrons; covalent bonds share electrons.
The main difference is in electron use: ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
Answer for screen readers
The main difference is in electron use: ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
More Information
Ionic bonds typically occur between metals and nonmetals where one atom donates and the other accepts electrons. Covalent bonds usually form between nonmetal atoms where electrons are shared, allowing each atom to have a full valence shell.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking that covalent bonds involve a complete sharing in all cases; sometimes the sharing is unequal, leading to polar covalent bonds.
Sources
- Ionic vs. Covalent Bonds: Understand the Difference - ThoughtCo - thoughtco.com
- Ionic and Covalent Bonding - chem.fsu.edu
- Chemical Bonds: Ionic vs. Covalent | Study.com - study.com
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