What are the differences between covalent and ionic bonding?

Covalent bonding is the sharing of pairs of electrons between two non-metallic atoms.

Ionic bonding is where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, usually from a metallic atom to a non-metallic one.

AP
Answered by Alastair P. Chemistry tutor

3875 Views

See similar Chemistry A Level tutors

Related Chemistry A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does the reactivity change down Group 1 elements, and why?


Explain why ethanol has a higher boiling point than ethene (3)


A chemist synthesised two solutions A and B, they know one solution is an aldehyde and the other a ketone. Suggest how the chemist could identify which is which and describe any observations they would make


Please can you explain E/Z isomers?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning