Covalent Bonds

Definition

A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, resulting in a stable balance of attractive and repulsive forces.

Analogy

Think of covalent bonds like a long car trip with your best friend. You both have to share the driving (electrons) equally to get to your destination safely and efficiently. If one person doesn't do their part, the trip could be disastrous!

Related terms

Ionic Bond: This is another type of chemical bond that involves the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Polar Covalent Bond: This is a type of covalent bond where there's an unequal sharing of electron pairs due to differences in electronegativity.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond: This is a type of covalent bond where there's an equal sharing of electron pairs because both atoms have similar electronegativity.