5.2.1 Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter

5.2.1.1 Chemical bonds

There are three types of strong chemical bonds: ionic, covalent and metallic.

Ionic bonding occurs in compounds formed from metals combined with non-metals.

For ionic bonding the particles are oppositely charged ions.

Covalent bonding occurs in most non-metallic elements and in compounds of non-metals.

For covalent bonding the particles are atoms which share pairs of electrons.

Metallic bonding occurs in metallic elements and alloys.

For metallic bonding the particles are atoms which share delocalised electrons.