Types of bonding

The main types of bonding are:

1. Ionic Bonding: This type of bond forms when there is a complete transfer of one or more valence electrons from one atom to another. This creates oppositely charged ions (cations and anions) that are held together by electrostatic attraction. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), sodium (Na) loses an electron to become Na⁺, and chlorine (Cl) gains an electron to become Cl⁻.

2. Covalent Bonding: This occurs when atoms share one or more pairs of valence electrons. This sharing allows each atom to achieve a more stable electron configuration, typically a full outer shell. Covalent bonds are common between nonmetal atoms. For example, in a water molecule (H₂O), oxygen shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms.

3. Metallic Bonding: This type of bonding is found in metals. It involves a "sea" of delocalized valence electrons that are shared among a lattice of positively charged metal ions. This electron mobility is responsible for the characteristic properties of metals, such as electrical conductivity, thermal conductivity, and malleability.