Determining bonds

[Leslie Almaraz 4G]

How do you know if two elements form a covalent bond? Is this known through determining if an element is a non metal and a metal?

[Vanessa Chuang 4F]

Yes, we can determine if covalent bonds are formed through the elements that make up that bond. Ionic bonds are when a non metal and a metal have a bond. Covalent bonds happen only between two non-metal elements. Within covalent bonds, there are also different types of covalent bonds as well.

[Michelle Song 1I]

A general rule to remember is that if the electronegativity difference is >2.0, the bond is ionic and if it's 1.5> and >.5 then it's polar covalent. If it's <.5 then it's nonpolar covalent.

[Ashley Tran 2I]

A quick tip to always keep in mind is hydrogen is a nonmetal so when you see HCl/HBr/HI it's tempting to say it's an ionic bond because H has a +1 charge and halogens have a -1 charge and they're on opposite sides of the periodic table like most ionic compounds. However, that'd be incorrect, these compounds have a covalent bond.

[selatran1h]

ionic bonds are between a nonmetal and metal while covalent bonds are between two nonmetals.