Final answer:
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, forming ions that attract due to opposite charges, often between metals and nonmetals. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, usually between nonmetals, to achieve stable electron configurations.
Step-by-step explanation:
The main difference between ionic and covalent bonds relates to how electrons are handled between atoms. An ionic bond occurs when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, typically between a metal and a nonmetal, leading to the formation of ions with opposite charges that attract each other. On the other hand, a covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons between two atoms, usually between nonmetals, allowing the atoms to achieve a stable electronic configuration through this shared arrangement. The type of bond formed is often predicted by the electronegativity difference between the two atoms; a large difference suggests an ionic bond, while a small or nonexistent difference (as in the case of diatomic molecules like H2 and O2) points to a covalent bond.