What is the primary difference between ionic and covalent compounds?

The primary difference between ionic and covalent compounds lies in how their constituent atoms bond to each other. In ionic compounds, atoms transfer electrons, leading to the formation of charged ions. This process typically occurs between metals and nonmetals, where metals lose electrons and become positively charged cations while nonmetals gain electrons to become negatively charged anions. The resulting electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates strong ionic bonds, which give ionic compounds their characteristic properties, such as high melting points and electrical conductivity when dissolved in water.

On the other hand, covalent compounds form when two or more nonmetals share electron pairs. This sharing allows each atom to achieve a more stable electron configuration, often resembling that of noble gases. The bonds formed in covalent compounds can vary in strength and polarity, depending on the electronegativity of the atoms involved.

Thus, the correct statement emphasizes that ionic compounds arise from the transferring of electrons, while covalent compounds arise from the sharing of electrons, clearly distinguishing the fundamental nature of the bonding in these two types of compounds.