There are three main types of chemical bonds based on their strength: covalent bonds, ionic bonds, and metallic bonds.
Covalent Bonds
Covalent bonds form when two atoms share electrons. These bonds are generally strong and are responsible for holding together molecules like water (H₂O) and carbon dioxide (CO₂). Covalent bonds can be further classified into single, double, and triple bonds based on the number of shared electron pairs.
Ionic Bonds
Ionic bonds form when one atom donates an electron to another atom, creating oppositely charged ions that are attracted to each other. These bonds are generally strong and are found in salts like sodium chloride (NaCl) and potassium bromide (KBr).
Metallic Bonds
Metallic bonds are unique to metals and involve the sharing of electrons between a "sea" of delocalized electrons and a lattice of positively charged metal ions. This type of bonding explains the characteristic properties of metals, such as their high conductivity, malleability, and ductility.
Examples:
- Covalent Bonds: Water (H₂O), methane (CH₄), oxygen gas (O₂)
- Ionic Bonds: Table salt (NaCl), calcium chloride (CaCl₂), magnesium oxide (MgO)
- Metallic Bonds: Copper (Cu), gold (Au), silver (Ag)
