What is formed as a result of a covalent bond?

A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. This sharing allows each atom to achieve greater stability by filling their outer electron shells, which is often seen in non-metal elements. When these atoms bond covalently, they create a strong connection that results in the formation of distinct entities known as molecules.

During this process, when two or more atoms bond together through covalent bonds, they typically form a compound, which is a specific type of molecule made up of two or more different elements chemically combined in a fixed ratio. For example, when two hydrogen atoms bond with one oxygen atom through covalent bonds, they produce water (H₂O), demonstrating how covalent bonds directly lead to the formation of compounds.

In contrast, ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons and the resulting oppositely charged ions, which doesn't occur in the case of covalent bonding. Additionally, compounds are distinct from mixtures, which simply involve physical blends of substances that do not involve chemical bonding. Overall, the mechanism of electron sharing that defines covalent bonding is essential to creating stable compounds.