Ionic bonding vs Covalent bonding: what's the difference?
GCSE Chemistry
Two ways atoms bond. Ionic transfers electrons (metal + non-metal); covalent shares them (non-metals).
Written & reviewed by James Millett — Biology (Imperial College London), PGCE Science (University of Cambridge).
Ionic bonding vs Covalent bonding — side by side
| Ionic bonding | Covalent bonding | |
|---|---|---|
| Electrons | Transferred | Shared |
| Between | Metal + non-metal | Non-metal + non-metal |
| Particles formed | Ions (+ and −) | Molecules |
| Structure | Giant ionic lattice | Simple molecules (or giant covalent) |
| Melting point | High (strong electrostatic forces) | Usually low (weak intermolecular forces) |
Exam tip — how to tell them apart: Metal + non-metal → ionic (transfer). Two non-metals → covalent (share). Check the periodic-table position first.
Common trap: Simple molecules have weak forces BETWEEN molecules — the covalent bonds themselves are strong; that's why melting them doesn't break bonds.
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