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
A type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons with each other equally because they have similar or same electronegativities.
Related terms
Covalent Bond: A type of strong chemical bond where two or more atoms share electron pairs.
Symmetry in Molecules: The balanced distribution and arrangement within molecules which often leads to nonpolarity, just like evenly dividing up that delicious pizza!
Van der Waals Forces: Weak forces (like temporary attractions) between molecules or parts thereof, resulting from fluctuations in electron distribution. It’s kind of like the brief moment when you both reach for the last slice, but then decide to split it.