Chemical Bond

When two atoms of same or different elements approach each other, the energy of the combination of the atoms becomes less than the sum of the energies of the two separate atoms at a large distance. The two atoms have combined or a bond is formed between the two. The bond is called a chemical bond. The combination of atoms leads to the formation of a molecule that has distinct properties different from that of the constituent atoms.

The formation of a bond between two atoms can be visualized in terms of their acquiring stable electronic configurations. When two atoms (other than that of noble gases) combine, they will do so in such a way that they attain an electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas.

The stable electronic configuration of the noble gases can be achieved in a number of ways - by losing, gaining or sharing of electrons. Accordingly, there are different types of chemical bonds:

• Ionic or electrovalent bond
• Covalent bond
• Co-ordinate covalent bond