What type of bond is formed when two atoms share electrons?

When two atoms share electrons, a covalent bond is formed. This type of bond occurs primarily between nonmetal atoms, which have similar electronegativities and a tendency to share electrons rather than completely transfer them. The sharing of electrons allows each atom to achieve a more stable electron configuration, typically resembling that of the nearest noble gas.

In a covalent bond, the extent to which the electrons are shared can vary, leading to either nonpolar or polar covalent bonds, depending on the electronegativity difference between the two atoms. Nonpolar bonds occur when the atoms have the same or very similar electronegativities, enabling equal sharing of the bonding electrons. In contrast, polar covalent bonds develop when the atoms differ in electronegativity, leading to unequal sharing and the creation of partial positive and negative charges.

An ionic bond, on the other hand, involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other due to their opposite charges. A hydrogen bond is a weaker interaction that occurs between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom. Lastly, metallic bonds involve a sea of delocalized electrons that are shared among a lattice of