What type of bond is characterized by sharing electrons?

A bond characterized by sharing electrons is a covalent bond. In a covalent bond, two or more atoms come together and share pairs of electrons in order to achieve greater stability and fulfill their outer electron shell requirements. This sharing can occur between identical atoms, such as in diatomic molecules, or between different atoms with varying electronegativities.

Covalent bonds commonly occur between nonmetals, which tend to have similar electronegativities, allowing them to effectively share electron pairs. This type of bonding is fundamental for the formation of many organic compounds, as well as water and other essential biological molecules.

In contrast, other types of bonds involve different mechanisms. Ionic bonds result from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another rather than sharing them. Metallic bonds involve the pooling of electrons between many metal atoms, while hydrogen bonds are a type of weak attraction that occurs between molecules as a result of polar covalent bonds, not through direct sharing of electrons. Understanding the nature of covalent bonds is essential for grasping how molecules form and interact in biological systems.