Chemistry · Chapter 04
🔗 Chemical Bonds
How atoms hold hands.
💡 Atoms Holding Hands
Atoms bond together to become stable — by getting a full outer shell (usually 8 electrons). There are three main types:
• Ionic bond — one atom gives electrons to another. Like Na⁺ and Cl⁻ in salt. Strong, makes brittle crystals.
• Covalent bond — atoms share electrons. Like H–H in hydrogen gas, or H₂O in water.
• Metallic bond — atoms share a "sea" of free electrons. That's why metals conduct electricity.
Bonds store energy. Break them, energy is released — that's how food and fuel work!
Covalent bond in H₂ molecule — shared electron pairWikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
Ionic bonding in NaCl (table salt) — electron transferWikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 3.0
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Ionic vs Covalent
AnimationLeft: Na donates its single outer electron to Cl. Right: two H atoms share their electrons. Both end up stable.
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Identify the Bond
ExperimentPick a compound — see how its atoms are bonded.
CompoundNaCl
Bond typeIonic
Sodium gives its outer electron to chlorine. Result: Na⁺ + Cl⁻ — opposites attract and form salt.