chemical bond

A chemical bond is the force that holds two or more atoms together, allowing them to form molecules and compounds. Atoms bond by sharing, transferring, or overlapping their electrons—these are called chemical bonds. The main types are covalent (sharing electrons), ionic (transferring electrons, resulting in opposite charges), and metallic (delocalized electrons free to move). Bonds are driven by atoms’ tendencies to achieve more stable electron arrangements, often similar to the electron configuration of noble gases. These bonds give substances their structure and properties, such as solidity, reactivity, and conductivity.