Why is there no charge in covalent bonding?

[PercyColli]

I’m learning about chemical bonds and read that covalent bonds don’t carry a charge. Can someone explain why covalent bonding doesn’t result in a charged particle, unlike ionic bonding?

 

[theo]

Covalent bonds don’t create charges because the atoms share electrons instead of giving them up, so neither one ends up positive or negative. Ionic bonds make charges because one atom fully hands over an electron to the other.

 

[DustinSkibe]

It's because atoms share electrons rather than one atom losing and the other gaining. Therefore, each atom maintains its overall electron balance and the same net charge, while the two atoms are linked stably.

 

[danisjohn]

There’s no charge in covalent bonding because atoms share electrons instead of transferring them. Sharing lets each atom achieve a stable outer shell without gaining or losing electrons, so no ions form. Because the electrons are mutually held, the overall molecule remains electrically neutral, creating a balanced, stable chemical bond.