What are the main types of chemical bonds?

The main types of chemical bonds include ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds, which represent the primary interactions that hold atoms together in various compounds.

Ionic bonds occur between atoms that transfer electrons from one to another, typically forming between metals and non-metals. In this case, one atom loses an electron to become a positively charged ion, while the other gains an electron to become a negatively charged ion. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions creates a strong bond.

Covalent bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between two non-metals. This type of bond allows atoms to achieve stable electron configurations, often following the octet rule, where each atom involved in the bond seeks to have eight electrons in its valence shell. Covalent bonds can vary in strength and can be single, double, or triple depending on the number of shared electron pairs.

Metallic bonds are characteristic of metals and involve the pooling of electrons in a "sea of electrons" that are free to move. This delocalization of electrons allows for properties such as electrical conductivity and malleability, which are typical for metallic elements.

In contrast, while options that include hydrogen bonds or van der Waals forces reflect important interactions