Types of Bonds

• Simple molecular bonds are found in most non-metal elements and compounds • Bonding: covalent bonds formed when atoms share pairs of electrons • Structure: small, distinct groups of atoms

• Ionic bonds are found in most compounds containing metal and non-metals • Bonding: ionic bonds formed by a loss and gain of electrons to produce oppositely charged ions that attract one another • Structure: billions of ions held together in a lattice structure

• Giant covalent bonds are found in a few non-metal elements and some compounds of non-metals • Bonding: covalent bonds formed when atoms share pairs of electrons • Structure: billions of atoms held together in a lattice structure

• Metallic bonds are found in all metals • Bonding: metallic bonds are the electrostatic attraction between positive metal ions and negative delocalised electrons • Structure: billions of ions held together in a giant lattice structure of positive ions in a ‘sea’ of negative delocalised electrons