Covalent bond

Definition

A bond formed when atoms share electrons rather than transferring them, common between non-metals that hold electrons tightly.

Sharing lets each atom move toward a more stable valence configuration, with the shared electrons acting as a bridge that makes the bonded arrangement more stable than the separated one. Identical atoms like the two oxygens in O2 share equally and form a nonpolar double bond, while different atoms share unevenly and form polar bonds. Covalent bonding underlies many key water-treatment species including water, carbonate, sulfite, sulfate, and phosphate.

Related concepts

Nonpolar bond · Ionic bond · Polar covalent bond

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Part of The Blueprint of Water · 🧪 chemistry