What are the main types of bonds in chemistry: ionic, covalent, and metallic?

Chemical bonds are the attractive forces that hold atoms together in molecules, and they can be categorized into three main types: ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds.

Ionic bonds are formed when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. The resulting ions are then attracted to each other by their opposite charges, forming an ionic bond.

Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons in order to achieve a full outer shell of electrons. There are two main types of covalent bonds: polar and nonpolar. Polar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared unequally between atoms, resulting in a slight negative charge on one end of the molecule and a slight positive charge on the other end. Nonpolar covalent bonds occur when electrons are shared equally between atoms.

Metallic bonds are formed between metal atoms and are characterized by a sharing of electrons among a lattice of positively charged metal ions. These bonds are responsible for the unique properties of metals, such as their ability to conduct electricity and heat.