Bonds

Chemical Bonds

Ionic Bonds

In an ionic bond one element gives up one electron to another, if an element takes on another, extra, electron it gets a negative charge from the electron that element then is a "anion" or a negatively charged element. The other element is then a "cation" or positively charged element because it lost an electron so it then has more protons which gives it it's positive charge. Cations and anions both go under the "ions" or an element with an electric charge. An anion can get more than one electron. Ionic bonds normally stay together, but put them in water and they dissociate. They may come together again but not for long. The positive and negative charges once dissociated will have an electrical charge. They will then be electrolytes because compounds that conduct electricity when dissolved in water are called electrolytes which are just ions made by the dissociation of an ionic compound.

Covalent Bonds

In a covalent bond neither element has enough strength to remove an electron from one another so the elements share the electrons. Covalent compounds share the same electrons in a covalent bond. They won't fall about, and will stay together if in water. This makes them non electrolytes. They are also stronger than ionic bonds.

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