What kind of bond is formed when atoms share electrons?

A covalent bond is formed when atoms share electrons. This type of bond typically occurs between nonmetals, allowing each atom to attain a more stable electron configuration by filling its outer electron shell. When two or more nonmetal atoms bond covalently, the shared electrons enable each atom to experience the benefits of having a filled outer shell, which is associated with lower energy and increased stability.

In a covalent bond, the degree of electron sharing can vary, leading to the classification of bonds as nonpolar or polar. Nonpolar covalent bonds occur when the atoms involved have similar electronegativities, resulting in equal sharing of electrons. In contrast, polar covalent bonds form when the electronegativity difference between the atoms causes unequal sharing, leading to partial positive and negative charges on the respective atoms.

Understanding the nature of covalent bonds is crucial in fields like chemistry and materials science because they play a significant role in determining the properties of molecules and compounds, including their boiling and melting points, solubility, and electrical conductivity.