Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
In chemistry, bonds refer to forces holding together atoms within molecules. There are three main types - covalent (sharing), ionic (transferring), and metallic (pooling).
Related terms
Polar Bond: A type of covalent bond between two atoms where the electrons forming the bond are unequally distributed.
Nonpolar Bond: A type of covalent bond in which electrons are shared equally by both atoms.
Hydrogen Bond: A weak bond between two molecules resulting from an electrostatic attraction between a proton in one molecule and an electronegative atom in the other.