A compound in which atoms are covalently held together is known as a covalent compound. In these types of compounds, the atoms share pairs of electrons, which allows them to achieve a more stable electron configuration.
The covalent bonds are formed when two non-metal atoms come together. For example, when hydrogen (H) and oxygen (O) combine to form water (H2O), each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the oxygen atom, resulting in a stable molecule. This sharing of electrons is what distinguishes covalent compounds from ionic compounds, where atoms transfer electrons to one another.
Covalent compounds can exist in various states (solid, liquid, or gas) and often have distinct physical properties, such as lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. They are also poorer conductors of electricity in solution than ionic compounds due to the absence of charged particles that can move freely.