What type of bond is formed by the sharing of electron pairs?

A bond formed by the sharing of electron pairs is specifically referred to as a covalent bond. In this type of bonding, two atoms come together to share one or more pairs of electrons, which allows each atom to achieve a more stable electron configuration, often resembling that of noble gases. This sharing can occur between two nonmetals, and the strength of the bond depends on the number of shared electron pairs; for example, a single bond involves one pair of shared electrons, while a double bond involves two pairs.

Covalent bonding is crucial in the formation of many types of molecules, such as water (H2O) where each hydrogen atom shares an electron with the oxygen atom, enabling a stable molecular formation. The concept of covalent bonds is fundamental in understanding molecular geometry, reactivity, and the physical properties of compounds.

In contrast, other types of bonds, such as ionic bonds, involve the transfer of electrons rather than sharing, which leads to the formation of charged ions, and metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' that are not confined to any specific pair of atoms but move freely amongst the metal atoms. Polar bonds are a specific type of covalent bond where the sharing of electrons is unequal, leading to a dipole moment