Which statement correctly defines a covalent bond?

Which statement correctly defines a covalent bond?

• A. A bond formed by ions transferring electrons.
• B. A bond created by metals sharing a sea of electrons.
• C. A chemical bond formed by two atoms sharing electrons.
• D. A bond produced by an attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Answer: (C)

A covalent bond is defined by two atoms sharing electrons so they can both access a shared electron pair and complete their outer electron shells. This sharing creates a molecule where the electrons are localized between the bonded atoms, and the bond strength depends on how many electron pairs are shared (single, double, or triple bonds). This contrasts with ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, producing oppositely charged ions that attract each other, and with metallic bonding, where electrons are delocalized into a “sea” that surrounds a lattice of metal atoms. Covalent bonds typically form between nonmetals with similar electronegativities, making the “sharing electrons” description the correct one.

A covalent bond is defined by two atoms sharing electrons so they can both access a shared electron pair and complete their outer electron shells. This sharing creates a molecule where the electrons are localized between the bonded atoms, and the bond strength depends on how many electron pairs are shared (single, double, or triple bonds). This contrasts with ionic bonding, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, producing oppositely charged ions that attract each other, and with metallic bonding, where electrons are delocalized into a “sea” that surrounds a lattice of metal atoms. Covalent bonds typically form between nonmetals with similar electronegativities, making the “sharing electrons” description the correct one.