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Chemical bonding is the force that holds atoms together in molecules and compounds. There are two main types of chemical bonds:
Ionic bonds: Formed by the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions. One atom loses electrons to become a positively charged cation, while another atom gains electrons to become a negatively charged anion.
Covalent bonds: Formed by the sharing of electrons between two atoms. This sharing of electrons can be equal (nonpolar covalent) or unequal (polar covalent).
The type of bond formed between atoms depends on the electronegativity difference between the atoms. Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond.
If the electronegativity difference is large, an ionic bond forms.
If the electronegativity difference is small, a covalent bond forms.
Understanding chemical bonding is crucial in chemistry as it allows us to predict the properties of molecules and compounds. It also forms the basis for many chemical reactions.