Elements are held together in different ways and the properties of chemical compounds are determined by the bonding between atoms and the attractive intermolecular forces between molecules.
Part of ChemistryChemical changes and structure
A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons, electrostatically attracted to the positive nuclei of two atoms.
Atoms can share electrons in order to achieve a stable outer electron arrangement (a noble gas arrangement).
Pure covalent bonds exist between two atoms with the same electronegativities. A pure covalent bond has no ionic character at all.
Diatomic elements are good examples of pure covalent bonds where the electrons are evenly shared between both nuclei.