* Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.
* Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating positively and negatively charged ions that attract each other.
Let's break down the structure of ethanol:
* Carbon (C): Carbon has 4 valence electrons and can form 4 covalent bonds.
* Hydrogen (H): Hydrogen has 1 valence electron and can form 1 covalent bond.
* Oxygen (O): Oxygen has 6 valence electrons and can form 2 covalent bonds.
In ethanol, the carbon atoms share electrons with each other, with hydrogen atoms, and with the oxygen atom. The oxygen atom also shares electrons with a hydrogen atom to form the hydroxyl group (-OH).
Therefore, all the bonds in ethanol are covalent bonds.