Here's why:
* Electrons occupy the outermost shell of an atom, called the valence shell. These electrons are the ones most likely to interact with other atoms.
* Chemical bonds form when atoms share or transfer valence electrons. This sharing or transfer results in a stable arrangement of electrons, leading to a lower energy state for the participating atoms.
Let's break down the types of bonds:
* Covalent bonds: Atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration.
* Ionic bonds: One atom transfers electrons to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
In both cases, it's the movement and sharing of electrons that ultimately create the bond between atoms.
