---
title: "Chemical Bond — AP Chem Definition & Exam Guide"
description: "A chemical bond is the attractive force holding atoms or ions together via shared or transferred electrons. Core to AP Chem Unit 2 and predicting properties."
canonical: "https://fiveable.me/ap-chem/key-terms/chemical-bond"
type: "key-term"
subject: "AP Chemistry"
---

# Chemical Bond — AP Chem Definition & Exam Guide

## Definition

A chemical bond is the force of attraction between two atoms or ions that binds them together as a unit. This occurs due to the sharing, donation, or acceptance of electrons.

## Related Study Guides

- [2.1 Types of Chemical Bonds](/ap-chem/unit-2/types-chemical-bonds/study-guide/syV9vHl1BKGwM5tnaOt0)

## Review

### Related Terms

- Covalent Bond: A type of chemical bond where electrons are shared equally between two atoms.
- [Ionic Bond](/ap-chem/key-terms/ionic-bond): A type of chemical bond where one atom donates one or more electrons to another atom creating positive and negative ions which attract each other.
- [Polar Covalent Bond](/ap-chem/key-terms/polar-covalent-bond): A type of covalent bond where electrons are not shared equally causing one part of the molecule to be slightly negative and the other slightly positive.