Why do atoms form covalent vs ionic bonds?

Question

Why do atoms form covalent vs ionic bonds?

Answer 1

Covalent bonds means that the two elements SHARE the electrons, like water does, because one is negative and the other is positive.  This is the strongest kind of bond.

In ionic bonds, one element completely loses its electrons because another one takes it.  This causes the the ions to attract because of the differences in charge.  They don't share the electrons, just simply transfer them to another element, and THEN attract to one another.

Answer 2

Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons --- they both need the shared electron(s) to fill their outer electron shell. Ionic bonds are when one atom gives electron(s) to another atom --- the atom that has given the electron(s) has a positive charge and the atom that received the electron(s) has a negative charge.

Answer 3

Ionic bonds occur when any atom bonds with a metal, covalent bonds are purely non-metal.

Also, covalent bonds share the electrons, whereas ionic bond trade electrons, to enable them to get a full outer shell.