Why Do Atoms Bond?

Atoms bond to achieve stability, often by filling their outer electron shells. There are several types of chemical bonds:

Types of Bonds

• Ionic Bonds: Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions that attract each other.
• Covalent Bonds: Atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.
• Metallic Bonds: Electrons are shared in a "sea" among many metal atoms.

Bond Properties

The type of bond affects properties like melting point, conductivity, and solubility. Ionic compounds tend to be brittle and conduct electricity when dissolved in water. Covalent compounds may be gases, liquids, or solids and usually don't conduct electricity.

Everyday Chemistry

The salt you sprinkle on your fries is sodium chloride—a classic ionic compound!

Visualizing Bonds

Think of atoms as puzzle pieces—some give, some take, and some share to fit together just right.