Which are Stronger? Covalent or Ionic Bonds?

Chemistry, Physics
Almost all the atoms found in nature, left alone to themselves, are stable structures. If they always remained such, there would be no need of chemists. Fortunately, when in close contact, atoms can react in a number of ways. Often they link to each other in various combinations through bonding, forming molecules called compounds. Such interaction requires explanation, and so provides employment to humans educated in this field: The field called chemistry. Chemical Bonds: Ionic and Covalent There are a variety of ways atoms bond to one another. Some bonds are weaker, and some are stronger. Two of the strongest forms of chemical bond are the ionic and the covalent bonds. Chemical bonds form between two atoms, each with its own electron environment. If each of the two atoms shares…
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On the Nature of the Chemical Bond

Chemistry
[caption id="attachment_3393" align="alignright" width="440"] Proline - Ball and Stick Model CCA 2.5 by Peter Murray-Rust.[/caption] Atoms combine to form molecules. Atom A approaches atom B and cohesively attaches to it. Molecule AB is held together by a chemical bond.¹ That bond is written A–B,  or in the case of multiple bonds, A=B, A≡B, etc. Factors in Bond Formation The primary bonding agency is electrostatic force. This is the force between electrical charges. A positive charge is due to a lack of one or more electrons, producing cations. A negative charge is due to an excess of electrons, producing anions. One of the simplest examples is the formation from sodium (Na) and chlorine (Cl) of ordinary table salt, sodium chloride (NaCl).² We write, Na – e⁻ → Na⁺ Cl + e⁻…
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