Chemical bonds are attractive forces that hold atoms together in molecules and compounds. They result from the interaction of electrons between atoms.
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There are three primary types of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds.
Ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, typically between metals and nonmetals.
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, usually occurring between nonmetals.
Hydrogen bonds are weak interactions that occur between a hydrogen atom bonded to a more electronegative atom (like oxygen or nitrogen) and another electronegative atom.
The formation and breaking of chemical bonds involve changes in energy, which is crucial for biochemical reactions.
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Related terms
Atom: The smallest unit of matter that retains the properties of an element.