Question

What is the main distinction between ionic and covalent bonds?

Answer 1

1. Electrostatic attraction between the positive and negative ions results in the formation of an ionic bond.
2. The exchange of electrons between atoms takes place in order to ionic bond.
   For example - ${\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)\to \mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)$
3. A covalent bond is formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms.
   For example - The Cl atom electronic configuration is $\left[\mathrm{Ne}\right]3{\mathrm{s}}^{2}3{\mathrm{p}}^5$ which is one electron less than the Argon configuration.
   i) Each Cl atom will contribute one electron.
   ii) Two Cl atoms will share a pair of electrons.
   
   
4. So, the main distinction between ionic and covalent bonds is that an ionic bond involves the complete exchange of electrons between atoms while a covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons between two atoms.