Types of Chemical Bonding
Chemical bonding can be split into two broad categories: those that form molecules and those that don't. Covalent and ionic bonds form molecules. Metallic bonding forms a lattice, but not molecules per se, for cutting of the metal in any direction does not change its chemical properties.
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Covalent Bond
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Atoms that complete their outer shells with electrons shared from other atoms combine with those atoms to form molecules. The time spent by the shared electrons between the atoms serves to attract the positively charged nuclei toward each other.
Ionic Bond
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In ionic bonding, one or more electrons transfer from one atom to another. This transfer empties the outer shell of one, exposing the underlying full shell. The receiving atom's outer shell is then completed. The atoms become positively and negatively charged, causing them to bond.
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Metallic Bonding
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"Metallic bonding" is a more correct term than "metallic bond," because shared electrons in metal form an electron sea, as opposed to being confined to a specific location. In their wanderings, the electrons effectively lose track of what bond they belong to. This electron freedom gives metal its conductivity.
Van der Waals Forces
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Molecules that are permanently polar or temporarily polar due to an external electric field attract each other. These Van der Waals forces between molecules lead to friction, and explain adhesives and viscosity.
Ubiquitous
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Van der Waals forces exist between all molecules, even the inert noble gases. While the electron distribution in a nonpolar molecule is symmetric on average, the electrons themselves are in constant motion, allowing temporary asymmetry, thus Van der Waals attraction.
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