The type of bond that involves two atoms sharing electrons that travel around both nuclei is called a covalent bond. In this bond, the shared electrons are attracted electrostatically by the nuclei of both atoms, effectively holding the atoms together. The electrons are not transferred but shared, allowing each atom to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of noble gases
. Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple depending on the number of electron pairs shared. A single covalent bond involves one pair of shared electrons, typically forming a sigma (σ) bond, which is the strongest type of covalent bond formed by head-on orbital overlap
. In summary:
- Covalent bond : Two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.
- The shared electrons move around both atomic nuclei.
- The bond forms due to the electrostatic attraction between the positively charged nuclei and the shared negatively charged electrons.
- Covalent bonds are directional and give molecules specific shapes.
- They occur mainly between nonmetal atoms of comparable electronegativity.
This sharing of electrons distinguishes covalent bonding from ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred rather than shared
