Chemical Bonding Made Simple

Atoms bond to become stable by achieving a full outer shell of electrons.

• Ionic bond: electrons are transferred from a metal to a non-metal. Example: sodium chloride (common salt).
• Covalent bond: electrons are shared between non-metals. Example: water and oxygen gas.
• Metallic bond: a sea of free electrons holds metal atoms together. This is why metals conduct electricity.

Ionic compounds usually have high melting points and conduct electricity when molten or diss…