What is the main feature of covalent bonds?

Covalent bonds are characterized by the sharing of electrons between atoms, which allows them to achieve a more stable electronic configuration. This sharing typically occurs between two nonmetals, which have similar electronegativities, meaning they have a comparable ability to attract electrons. By sharing their outermost electrons, these atoms can fill their outer electron shells, thereby achieving stability in a manner similar to that of noble gases.

In covalent bonding, the shared electrons contribute to the formation of molecular compounds, which often have distinct physical and chemical properties compared to ionic compounds. This key feature of electron sharing distinguishes covalent bonds from other types of chemical bonds, such as ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another. As a result, in a covalent bond, the atoms are held together by the mutual attraction of their nuclei for the shared electrons, leading to the creation of a bond that can range from single to multiple bonds, depending on how many pairs of electrons are shared.

Understanding the concept of electron sharing is fundamental to grasping molecular geometry, polarity, and the behavior of substances in chemical reactions, making it a critical aspect of the study of chemistry.