What type of bond results from the sharing of electrons?

A covalent bond results from the sharing of electrons between atoms. This occurs when two nonmetals bond together and each atom contributes one or more of its valence electrons to create a shared pair. This sharing allows each atom to attain a more stable electron configuration, often resembling that of noble gases.

In this type of bond, the strength and character are influenced by the electronegativity of the atoms involved; if the atoms have similar electronegativities, they will share the electrons evenly, resulting in a nonpolar covalent bond. Conversely, if there is a significant difference in electronegativity, the electrons may be shared unevenly, leading to a polar covalent bond where one atom has a slight negative charge and the other a slight positive charge.

Ionic bonds, by contrast, involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, building ions that attract each other due to opposite charges. Metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' that are free to move around, contributing to properties like conductivity and malleability in metals. Hydrogen bonds are not true bonds but rather attractions that occur between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom.