Which best describes a covalent bond?

A covalent bond is best described as a bond formed by the sharing of electrons between atoms. In covalent bonding, two or more nonmetal atoms come together and share pairs of electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration, similar to that of noble gases. This sharing allows each atom to attain a full outer shell of electrons, which is crucial for chemical stability.

The sharing of electrons can happen in different ways, leading to the formation of single, double, or even triple bonds, depending on how many pairs of electrons are involved. This type of bond is common in molecular compounds, where the shared electrons create strong connections between the atoms.

Understanding that covalent bonds involve sharing highlights the differences between them and ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions. Covalent bonds also contrast with physical attractions between molecules, such as van der Waals forces, which are not considered chemical bonds but rather intermolecular interactions.