Chemical bonding is one of the fundamental concepts in chemistry that describes how atoms are held together in a chemical compound. It is the attractive force between the atoms that results in the formation of molecules. Understanding chemical bonding is essential for predicting the properties and behavior of compounds, as well as for designing new compounds for various applications.

Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electrons between two or more atoms. The electrons are shared in such a way that each atom obtains a full outer electron shell, which is a stable configuration. Covalent bonds can be polar or nonpolar, depending on the distribution of electrons between the atoms. Polar covalent bonds result from unequal sharing of electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds result from equal sharing of electrons.

Ionic bonds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. This results in the formation of ions, which are charged particles. Ionic bonds are formed between metal and nonmetal atoms, and they are typically stronger than covalent bonds. Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points, and they are typically solids at room temperature.