How a covalent bond differs from ionic bond?

Answer 1

Covalent is were two atoms share electrons. The analogy is linking arms with the next person.

e.g. A hydrogen molecule is bonded ' H : H '. The two dots (colon) represents each hydrogen atom sharing its one electron with its partner atom.

Ionic is were two ions of opposite charge are attracted to each other. The analogy is the North and South poles of a magnet.

e.g. A sodium chloride molecule is bonded ' Na^(+)Cl^(-) ' the +/- represent the opposite charged ions of equal size. The sodium atom ionises by losing one electron to become the sodium cation Na(s) = Na^(+) + e^(-)

By electron affinity the electron ' e^(-) ' is attracted to the chlorine atom, to form the chloride anion. Cl(g) + e^(-) = Cl^(-)

NB When atoms loose or gain charge they are IONS ; NOT atoms.

Answer 2

a covalent bond shares electrons while an ionic bond loses electrons. get it got it good!