Bonds Inside Molecules

Ionic: In chemical bonds, atoms can either transfer or share their valence electrons. In the extreme case where one or more atoms lose electrons and other atoms gain them in order to produce a noble gas electron configuration, the bond is called an ionic bond. Table salt (NaCl) is a common example of a compound with an ionic bond.

Covalent: Covalent chemical bonds involve the sharing of a pair of valence electrons by two atoms, in contrast to the transfer of electrons in ionic bonds. Such bonds lead to stable molecules if they share electrons in such a way as to create a noble gas configuration for each atom. An oxygen molecule (O2) is a good example of a molecule with a covalent bond.

• Polar: electrons are shared unequally (the electronegative forces are not equally spread which causes a charge in the molecule).

• Non-Polar: the electrons are equally shared.(the electronegative forces are equally spread which causes a zero charge in the molecule)

• Coordinate: one atom contributes both shared electrons

Metallic: The properties of metals suggest that their atoms possess strong bonds, yet the ease of conduction of heat and electricity suggest that electrons can move freely in all directions in a metal. The general observations give rise to a picture of "positive ions in a sea of electrons" to describe metallic bonding.

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