: What is the difference between ionic and covalent bonds? T-T
In: Chemistry
It has to do with how much the different atoms cling to their own electrons — whether they *share* them with other atoms or whether it’s more of an actual *transfer* of electrons. In a co-valent bond, electrons are shared between atoms. The oxygen atom shares an electron with a hydrogen atom, and shares another electron with another hydrogen atom, and there are two co-valent bonds. H-O-H or H2O
Whereas a sodium atom prefers to ditch one electron entirely (becoming a sodium ion, Na+), and a chlorine atom would like to steal an electron from somebody (becoming a chlorine ion, Cl-), so they hook up and hang out with each other, Na+ plus Cl- = NaCl, ionic bond.
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