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Chemical bonding is the attractive force that holds atoms together to form molecules or crystals. It is a fundamental concept in chemistry, governing the formation of all compounds and materials. The primary types of chemical bonds are:
Ionic bonds: Formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. This occurs when one atom loses electrons (forming a cation) and another atom gains electrons (forming an anion).
Covalent bonds: Formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms. This sharing creates a region of high electron density between the atoms, attracting them together.
Metallic bonds: Found in metals, where electrons are delocalized and free to move throughout the lattice. This results in high electrical and thermal conductivity.
Understanding chemical bonding is essential for predicting the properties and behavior of substances. It explains why certain elements combine to form specific molecules and why different materials exhibit distinct properties.