Ionic and Covalent Bonds

Ionic Bond  

- Formed between a metal and a non‑metal.  

- Ionic compounds have high melting and boiling points.  

- They are generally hard and brittle.  

Covalent Bond  

- Formed between non‑metal and non‑metal, or between a non‑metal and a metalloid.  

- Covalent compounds have low melting and boiling points.  

- They are poor conductors of heat and electricity.  

Hydrogen Compounds  

Hydrogen forms molecular (covalent) compounds with other non‑metals. Examples include H₂O (water), NH₃ (ammonia), and CH₄ (methane).  

Insight:  

Ionic bonds arise from the transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds result from the sharing of electrons. Together, they explain the diversity of chemical compounds found in nature.