What is the Difference between Covalent Bonds and Ionic Bonds
Atoms of all elements, which do not have their complete valence shell have a tendency to complete it for achieving stability .Atoms, can achieve stability via sharing, gaining or loosing electrons. The forces of attraction between two atoms due to this sharing or transfer of electrons are called Bonding. Ionic bond and covalent bond are the two types of these attraction forces, present in molecules of compounds. To make clear the difference between them, here is some brief description.
Ionic Bond
When an atom loses its electron or gains some other electron, it produces electrostatic charge either positive (anion) or negative (cation). The chemical bond between these ions is called Ionic Bond. And compound having ionic bonding are called ionic compounds. In an ionic bond electron transfer from one atom to another and develop an electrostatic force of attraction among them. Ionic bond is formed due to high electro negativity difference between atoms.
Covalent Bond
The Chemical bond due to sharing of electrons is called covalent bond. The shared electrons revolve around both atoms. Mostly organic compounds have covalent bonding in them. The covalent bond exists between those atoms, which have low electro negativity differences between them.
Ionic Bond vs Covalent Bond
Ionic Bonding is complete sharing of electrons and covalent bonding is mutual sharing of electrons. In ionic bonding the difference between electro negativities is very high and they are mostly salts of 1A and 2 A groups’ metals with elements of 6A and 7A groups, according to Periodic table. On the other hand covalent bonding can occur between any atoms even between same atoms like the gases H2, N2 etc. Ionic compounds conduct electricity in molten state, but it is almost impossible for Covalent Compounds. Moreover, compounds with ionic bonds normally have crystalline structures but compounds with covalent bonds are normally non crystalline in nature.
Related posts
- What is the Difference between Pollination and Fertilization
- What is the Difference between Fermentation Corrosion Oxidation and Reduction
- What is the Difference between Distilled Deionized Filtered Soft & Hard Water
- What is the Difference between Jet Fuel, Fuel Oil, Kerosene, Diesel, Gasoline
- What is the Difference between Polyacrylic Polyethylene Polyurethane Urethane
- What is the Difference between Genotype and Phenotype
- What is the Difference between Energy Flux, Luminosity and Brightness
- What is the Difference between Flagella, Stereocilia, Microvilli and Cilia
- What is the Difference between Analogue and Digital