What is a chemical bond?
A chemical bond is an interaction between atoms in stable, lower-energy arrangements.
How it works and key principles
Bond types: Covalent bonding involves shared electron density; electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions is central to ionic bonding. Metallic bonding involves electrons distributed among metal atoms. These are useful models, but real bonds need not fit sharp categories.
Evidence, examples and limits
Connections to properties: Bonding and crystal structure influence melting temperature, conductivity, hardness and solubility. Breaking existing bonds requires energy, while forming new ones can release energy. The overall energy change of a reaction depends on both processes.
Related topics
What is an exoplanet?What is an isotope?What is the scientific method?How does soil form?What is a comet?What is electric current?What is gravity?What is a stem cell?What is a mitochondrion?What is the Big Bang?What is the periodic table?What is RNA?What is photosynthesis?What is a galaxy?What is an ecosystem?What is a catalyst?What is a virus?What are acids, bases and pH?What is natural selection?What is a cell?What is relativity?What is groundwater?What is the rock cycle?What is spectroscopy?What is a microbiome?What is radioactivity?EarthWhat is a lunar eclipse?What is the cosmic microwave background?What is chemical equilibrium?What is El Niño?What is climate change?What is density?What is a magnetic field?What is DNA?What is a food web?What is superconductivity?What is an asteroid?What is redshift?EarthquakeWhat is evolution?MoonWhat is epigenetics?What is dark matter?What is a polymer?What is electromagnetism?What is biodiversity?What is light?What is a star?What is entropy?