What is a covalent bond, and how does it differ from an ionic bond ?

Question

Please explain, thanks.

Answer 1

A covalent bond is where electrons are shared as in H20 (the electrons are used by both elements) and an ionic bond is when electrons are transferred as in NaCl (One element "donates" an electron to the other).

Answer 2

Definition:
Covalent bond is the result of sharing of electrons from 1 atom to another.After sharing the electron becomes a common propertyof the 2 nucleii.
All the inert gases which are the most stable compounds have 8 electrons except helium which has2 electrons in the valence shell(outermost shell).so all covalent compounds share electrons in such a way that they have 8 electrons in their valence shell except hydrogen which tends to have 2 electrons in the valence shell.
Eg of covalent bonding:
formation of covalent bond between 2 hydrogen atoms.each hydrogen atom has 1 electron in the valence shell.so when they combine together each donates 1 electron for the bond.thus the 2 atoms share 2 electrons & thus become stable.
It is formed between atoms of non-metals.it does not lead to the formation of ions whereas ionic bonds leads to the formation of ions.if want to know about the differences between ionic and covalent compounds lemme know