Final answer:
Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons leading to ion formation, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons without forming charged ions.
Step-by-step explanation:
Ionic bonds and covalent bonds are fundamental types of chemical bonds that join atoms together, but they do so in different ways. Ionic bonds are formed by the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions.
These ions are attracted to each other due to opposite charges. In contrast, covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms, which creates a stable balance and does not result in charged ions. The key difference on whether electrons are transferred or shared between the atoms involved.