Final answer:
A covalent bond is formed as the result of sharing an electron pair between atoms, which differs from ionic bonding where electrons are transferred. In covalent bonds, atoms contribute one electron each to the electron pair, creating a stable arrangement and allowing formation of molecules.
Step-by-step explanation:
A covalent bond is formed as the result of sharing an electron pair between atoms. Unlike ionic bonds where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating charged ions, covalent bonding involves atoms sharing one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a full valence shell.
Each atom in a covalent bond contributes one electron to the shared pair, creating a stable electron configuration. When atoms share three pairs of electrons, it's called a triple bond. Additionally, covalent bonding allows for the possibility of unequal sharing of electrons when the atoms involved have different electronegativities, leading to polar covalent bonds.
The sharing of electrons is a fundamental concept in chemistry which explains the formation of molecules from atoms. For instance, the molecule of hydrogen gas (H₂) is formed by two hydrogen atoms sharing their single electrons, resulting in a stable electronic arrangement for both atoms.