What is a non-polar covalent bond?

A non-polar covalent bond is characterized by the equal sharing of electrons between two atoms of similar electronegativity. This means that the atoms involved in the bond have an equal tendency to attract the shared electrons, resulting in a balanced distribution of electrical charge across the molecule. Consequently, there are no distinct positive or negative poles within the molecule, which is why it is termed 'non-polar.'

In contrast, other types of bonds, such as ionic bonds, involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions, while polar covalent bonds entail unequal sharing of electrons, creating a dipole moment with partially positive and negative charges. The concept of metals bonding with non-metals typically aligns with ionic bond formation as well. Therefore, the definition of a non-polar covalent bond as the equal sharing of electrons is pivotal in understanding molecular stability and behavior in chemical reactions.