What are the different types of bonding?

There are 3 main types of bonding: covalent, ionic and metallic. Covalent bonding occurs when there are a shared pair of electrons between two atoms. Ionic bonding is the electrostatic attraction between two oppositely charged ions. Metallic bonding consists of a regular arrangement of cations (positively charged ions) surrounded by a sea of delocalised electrons, so the bonds are held together by the electrostatic attraction between the negative electrons and the positive cations.
(I can draw examples on the whiteboard)
To explain this in more detail, electrostatic attraction essentially means an attraction between two oppositely charged atoms.

RM
Answered by Rachel M. Chemistry tutor

6859 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

Ethane is an organic compound. Please (a) write down the molecular formula of ethanoic acid and (b) verify the type of organic compound ethanoic acid belongs.


What are the differences in structures of diamond and graphite? And how do they relate to their chemical properties and uses?


What is the end point in a titration?


Why does Aluminium react with Iron Oxide?


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:

© 2025 by IXL Learning