Atoms are everywhere, and these atoms consist of electrons. So how do electrons help make up everything?
H₂O
H
O
H
electrons
negative nonmetal
One way electrons help make up everything is by Metallic Bonding. Metallic Bonding is between electrons that form metals. An example is the bonding of Copper.
NM
-
covalent bond
negative nonmetal
NM
-
positive metal
In Metallic Bonds, metal ions float around in a "sea of mobile electrons" around positively charged atomic nuclei of the interacting metal ions.
M
+
ionic bond
negative nonmetal
NM
-
Another type of bonding, is Covalent Bonding. Covalent Bonding is the sharing of valence electrons between 2 or more atoms. An example of this is H₂O as seen above.
Covalent Bonds are formed between nonmetals and nonmetals.
The third and final type of bonding is called Ionic bonding. Ionic bonds are electrostatic forces of attraction between ions of metals (cations) and nonmetals (anions).