Last Updated: 4 May 2026Verified for JEE 2027
ChemistryJEE & NEET
Difference Between Ionic Bond and Covalent Bond
Ionic and covalent bonds are the two primary types of chemical bonds. Ionic bonds involve transfer of electrons, while covalent bonds involve sharing of electrons.
Ionic Bond vs Covalent Bond — Comparison Table
| Aspect | Ionic Bond | Covalent Bond |
|---|---|---|
| Formation | Transfer of electrons | Sharing of electrons |
| Between | Metal + Non-metal | Non-metal + Non-metal |
| Electronegativity diff | Large (>1.7) | Small (<1.7) |
| State at room temp | Usually solid | Solid, liquid, or gas |
| Melting point | High | Low to moderate |
| Conductivity | Conducts in solution/molten | Poor conductor |
| Solubility | Soluble in water (polar) | Soluble in organic solvents |
| Example | NaCl, KBr, MgO | H₂O, CH₄, CO₂ |
Key Points to Remember
Ionic bonds form crystal lattice structures with high lattice energy
Covalent bonds can be single (σ), double (σ+π), or triple (σ+2π)
Polar covalent bonds exist when sharing is unequal (e.g., H-Cl)
Bond polarity increases with electronegativity difference
Exam Relevance
This topic falls under Chemical Bonding in Chemistry for both JEE and NEET. Questions on the difference between ionic bond and covalent bond appear frequently in competitive exams, both as direct MCQs and as part of numerical/assertion-reason problems.
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