Texas A&M University (TAMU) BIOL111 Introductory Biology I Exam 1 Practice Exam

A covalent bond is characterized by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, allowing them to achieve more stable electron configurations. This typically occurs between nonmetals with similar electronegativities, where neither atom has sufficient strength to completely remove an electron from the other. Instead, they share electrons, forming a stable bond as they both benefit from the shared electrons.

On the other hand, an ionic bond arises from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, typically between a metal and a nonmetal. In this type of bond, one atom (usually a metal) donates one or more electrons, becoming positively charged, while the other atom (usually a nonmetal) accepts those electrons, becoming negatively charged. The resulting electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.

This distinction between the sharing of electrons in covalent bonds and the transfer of electrons in ionic bonds is crucial in understanding how different types of compounds are formed and how they behave chemically.