This comparison covers Ionic vs Covalent Bonding within Ionic Bonding for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Ionic Bonding in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 35 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This topic appears regularly enough that it should still be part of a steady revision cycle. It is section 12 of 16 in this topic. Use this comparison to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
⚖️ Ionic vs Covalent Bonding
AQA regularly asks "compare ionic and covalent bonding" for 4 marks. Learn this table — it covers every mark point.
| Feature | Ionic | Covalent |
|---|---|---|
| What happens to electrons | Electrons transferred from metal to non-metal | Electrons shared between non-metal atoms |
| Occurs between | Metal + non-metal | Non-metal + non-metal |
| Particles formed | Oppositely charged ions (giant ionic lattice) | Molecules (or giant covalent structures) |
| Melting point | High (strong electrostatic forces between ions) | Low for simple molecular (weak intermolecular forces) |
| Conducts electricity? | Only when molten or dissolved in water (ions free to move) | No — no free charged particles (usually) |
| Example | NaCl, MgO, CaCl₂ | H₂O, CO₂, HCl |
Exam tip: "Compare" questions need a direct side-by-side contrast — do not just describe ionic bonding on its own. Use language like "unlike ionic bonding, covalent..." to signal a genuine comparison.
Practice questions for Ionic Bonding
Which combination of elements forms an ionic compound?
Describe the structure of an ionic compound and explain why ionic compounds have high melting points. [3 marks]