Bonds Definition in Chemistry

In chemistry, a bond or chemical bond is a link between atoms in molecules or compounds and between ions and molecules in crystals. A bond represents a lasting attraction between different atoms, molecules or ions.

Why Bonds Form

Most of bonding behavior can be explained by the attraction between two opposite electrical charge. The electrons of an atom or ion are attracted to their own positively-charged nucleus (containing protons), yet also to the nuclei of nearby atoms. Species that participate in chemical bonds are more stable when the bond is formed, typically because they had an imbalance of charge (greater or fewer number of electrons than protons) or because their valence electrons did not fill or half-fill electron orbitals.

Examples of Chemical Bonds

The two main types of bonds are covalent bonds and ionic bonds. Covalent bonding is where atoms share electrons more or less equally between each other. In an ionic bond, an electron from one atom spends more time associated with the nucleus and electron orbitals of the other atom (essentially donated). However, pure covalent and ionic bonding is relatively rare. Usually a bond is intermediate between ionic and covalent. In a polar covalent bond, electrons are shared, but the electrons participating in the bond are more attracted to one atom than to the other.

Another type of bonding is a metallic bond. In a metallic bond, electrons are donated to an "electron sea" between a group of atoms. Metallic bonding is very strong, but the fluid nature of the electrons allows for a high degree of electrical and thermal conductivity.