Ionic, Covalent, and Metallic Bonds

Atoms bond to achieve more stable electron arrangements. There are three main types of chemical bonds:

• Ionic Bonds: Form between metals and nonmetals when electrons are transferred.
• Covalent Bonds: Form when two nonmetals share electrons.
• Metallic Bonds: Involve a 'sea' of shared electrons among metal atoms.

Bond Polarity

Not all covalent bonds are equal—some are polar (unequal sharing) and some are nonpolar (equal sharing).

Visualizing Bonds

Lewis structures and diagrams help show how atoms share or transfer electrons to achieve full outer shells.

Everyday Importance

The type of bond affects melting points, conductivity, and solubility—key for materials from table salt to plastics.