Final answer:
The covalent contribution and the ionic contribution refer to the way electrons are shared or transferred between atoms. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between atoms, while in an ionic bond, electrons are transferred. The covalent contribution involves sharing electrons, while the ionic contribution involves transferring electrons.
Step-by-step explanation:
The difference between the covalent contribution and the ionic contribution lies in the way electrons are shared or transferred between atoms.
In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between atoms. This means that both atoms involved in the bond contribute one or more electrons to the bond. Covalent bonds often occur between nonmetals.
In an ionic bond, electrons are transferred from one atom to another. This occurs when there is a large difference in electronegativity between two atoms. Ionic bonds typically form between a metal and a nonmetal.
So, the covalent contribution refers to bonds formed by sharing electrons, while the ionic contribution refers to bonds formed by transferring electrons.