Covalent Bond vs. Ionic Bond

Covalent and ionic bonds are the two types of chemical bonds between atoms.

A covalent bond is a chemical bond between atoms that occurs when they share one or more electrons. Since neither atom is strong enough to attract an electron from the other, they share electrons in a covalent bond. These bonds form a fixed, definite shape. They generally occur between two non-metallic atoms.

An ionic bond is a chemical bond between atoms that occurs when they are attracted because of opposite charges. An ionic bond can form between a cation and anion because one has a positive charge and the other has a negative charge. These bonds do not have a definite shape. They generally occur between a metallic and a non-metallic atom.

Ionic and covalent bonds comprise the only two types of atomic bonds. Ionic bonds form solids at room temperature, whereas covalent bonds form liquids or gasses.