Introduction
Atoms are the basic building blocks of all types of matter. Atoms link to other atoms through chemicals bonds resulting from the strong attractive forces that exist between the atoms.
So what exactly is a chemical bond? It is a region that forms when electrons from different atoms interact with each other. The electrons that participate in chemical bonds are the valence electrons, which are the electrons found in an atom's outermost shell. When two atoms approach each other these outer electrons interact. Electrons repel each other, yet they are attracted to the protons within atoms. The interplay of forces results in some atoms forming bonds with each other and sticking together.
A Water Molecule
Types Of Chemical Bonds
There are several ways in which atoms can combine or chemically bond together to form a molecule. The two main types of bonds formed between atoms are ionic bonds and covalent bonds. The third type is Metallic Bonds.
