Sharing of electrons, bonding etc... so confused PLEASE HELP?

Question

why does the sharing of electrons between atoms fall on a continuum from nonpolar covalent bonds to ionic bonds???

and what does that mean?? the question just confuses. and i dont event know the answer.

Answer 1

In the current system, single bonds have 2 electrons in the orbital overlap between two nuclei. In a molecule like hydrogen, the two sides of the bond are identical and so the bond is non-polar. In a molecule like HCl, the electrons are pulled more strongly to Cl with its higher nuclear positiveness and the bond is polar. It a case like LiCl, the electron is transferred from Li to Cl and the bond ceases and a cation/anion salt is formed - the extreme polar bond is now ionic.  

Answer 2

Covalent bonding - electrons are shared - this usually happens with organic compounds. Non polar organic compounds usually have an equal amount of electron sharing. Polar organic compounds means that one or more of the atoms of the compound gets more than its share of electrons, but the electrons are still shared.

Ionic bonds - no electrons shared - this usually happens with inorganic compounds.

Hope this helps.