What is characteristic of a covalent bond?

A covalent bond is characterized by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This occurs when two nonmetal atoms come together, each contributing one or more of their electrons to form a stable arrangement. By sharing electrons, these atoms achieve full outer electron shells, which leads to greater stability. This type of bonding often results in the formation of molecules, where the shared electrons allow the bonded atoms to reach the octet rule, a principle stating that atoms tend to form bonds until they are surrounded by eight valence electrons.

In contrast, the donation of electrons is a hallmark of ionic bonds, where one atom completely transfers one or more electrons to another atom, leading to the formation of charged ions. Covalent bonds do not involve this type of electron transfer.

Covalent bonds can occur between both non-metals and metalloids, not just metals. This differentiates them significantly from ionic bonds, which typically form between metals and non-metals.

Additionally, while covalent bonds can be weaker than some ionic bonds under certain conditions, there are many covalent bonds that are quite strong. The strength of each bond can vary widely based on the specific elements involved and their respective electronegativities. Thus, covalent bonds can exhibit a broad range of