Section: STEM · ChemistryDifficulty: Easy
Covalent Bond
USUK
A chemical bond formed by two atoms sharing one or more pairs of electrons.
Definition
A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, typically a full outer shell. Covalent bonds are generally formed between nonmetal atoms and can be single, double, or triple depending on the number of shared electron pairs. The resulting molecules have distinct shapes and properties governed by the arrangement of these bonds.
Example
“In a water molecule, each hydrogen atom shares one pair of electrons with the central oxygen atom, forming two covalent O-H bonds that give water its characteristic bent shape and polar nature.”
Synonyms
- molecular bond
- electron-sharing bond
- nonmetal bond
Antonyms / Opposites
- ionic bond
- metallic bond
Images
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Related Terms
- Ionic Bond
- Hydrogen Bond
- Electronegativity
- Molecular Geometry