Covalent bonds are primarily found between nonmetals on the periodic table. These types of bonds form when two nonmetals share electrons, allowing them to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, which is crucial for stability.
For example, elements such as carbon (C), oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), and the halogens like fluorine (F) and chlorine (Cl) tend to form covalent bonds. When these elements combine, they create molecules through the sharing of electrons. A classic example is water (H2O), where hydrogen and oxygen share electrons to form a stable compound.
In contrast, metals and nonmetals typically form ionic bonds, where electrons are transferred rather than shared. Therefore, when looking at the periodic table, you can identify areas rich in covalent bonding potential by focusing on groups that contain nonmetals.