Ionic and Covalent Bonds An ionic bond is formed when two atoms lose or gain electrons, creating positively and negatively charged ions. These opposite charg...
An ionic bond is formed when two atoms lose or gain electrons, creating positively and negatively charged ions. These opposite charges attract each other, resulting in a dipole-dipole interaction.
Examples:
Sodium (Na) loses an electron and becomes positively charged Na+ ion.
Chlorine (Cl) gains an electron and becomes negatively charged Cl- ion.
Covalent bond:
A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share electrons, creating a shared electron pair. This type of bond is typically stronger than an ionic bond because the atoms are attracted to the shared electrons more.
Examples:
Carbon (C) atoms form covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms to create diamond (C6H12).
Oxygen (O) atoms form covalent bonds with two hydrogen atoms to form water (H2O).
Differences between ionic and covalent bonds:
| Feature | Ionic Bond | Covalent Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Atoms lose or gain electrons | Atoms share electrons |
| Charge | Opposite charges | No opposite charges |
| Strength | Weak | Strong |
| Distance between atoms | Short | Long |
| Examples | Na-Cl, MgO | C6H12, H2O |