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What is the difference between covalent bonding and ionic bonding, and how does each type of bonding affect the properties of molecules formed?

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Covalent bonding and ionic bonding are two different types of chemical bonding that occur between atoms to form molecules or compounds. They differ in the way electrons are shared or transferred between atoms and have distinct effects on the properties of the resulting molecules.Covalent Bonding:In covalent bonding, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This type of bonding typically occurs between non-metal atoms. The shared electrons are attracted to the positively charged nuclei of both atoms, creating a strong bond. Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple, depending on the number of electron pairs shared between the atoms.Properties of Covalent Compounds:1. Lower melting and boiling points: Covalent compounds generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds due to weaker intermolecular forces.2. Poor electrical conductivity: Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity in the solid state or when dissolved in water because they do not have free-moving ions or charged particles.3. Non-polar or polar: Covalent compounds can be non-polar  equal sharing of electrons  or polar  unequal sharing of electrons , which affects their solubility and other properties.Ionic Bonding:Ionic bonding occurs when one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively charged ions  cations  and negatively charged ions  anions . This type of bonding typically occurs between metal and non-metal atoms. The electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions forms the ionic bond.Properties of Ionic Compounds:1. Higher melting and boiling points: Ionic compounds have higher melting and boiling points compared to covalent compounds due to the strong electrostatic forces between the ions.2. Good electrical conductivity: Ionic compounds can conduct electricity when dissolved in water or in the molten state because the ions are free to move and carry an electric charge.3. Solubility in polar solvents: Ionic compounds are generally soluble in polar solvents like water, as the polar solvent molecules can surround and separate the ions, overcoming the electrostatic forces holding them together.In summary, covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, while ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. These different bonding types result in distinct properties for the molecules formed, such as differences in melting and boiling points, electrical conductivity, and solubility.

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