Ionic bonding is the formation of an Ionic bond is the result of the transfer of one or more electrons from a metal onto a non metal. Ionic bonds are usually associated with inorganic compounds. Take table salt as an example. This is an inorganic compound because it does not contain carbon(C). The bond between Sodium(Na) and Chlorine(Cl) is ionic because, unlike organic compounds where electrons are shared, sodium readily gives up its single electron to chlorine in order to form a more stable configuration. The chlorine accepts this electron in its outer shell to form a more stable configuration. Since sodium gives up its electron, it becomes more positive(+): since chlorine accepts an electron, it becomes negative(-); thus the ionic attraction between the two. You need one sodium atom to provide the extra electron for one chlorine atom, so they combine together 1:1. The formula is therefore NaCl.

The image above is a visual example of salt's configuration. One of the most valuable experiments toward the discovery of ionic bonding is Rutherford's Gold Foil Experiment.

Covalent bonding is bonding between non metals consists of two electrons shared between two atoms. In covalent bonding, the two electrons shared by the atoms are attracted to the nucleus of both atoms. Neither atom completely loses or gains electrons as in ionic bonding. Water is an example of a covalent bond because the atoms of hydrogen and oxygen are held together by polar covalent bonds.