What type of bond involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?

The type of bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms is a covalent bond. In a covalent bond, two atoms come together and share one or more pairs of electrons, which allows both atoms to attain a more stable electron configuration, similar to that of noble gases. This bond typically forms between nonmetals, as they have similar electronegativities and thus can effectively share electrons rather than transfer them completely.

In covalent bonding, the shared electrons allow each atom to count these electrons as part of their valence shell, which can lead to the formation of molecules. For instance, in a water molecule (H₂O), the oxygen atom shares electron pairs with two hydrogen atoms. This sharing results in a stable arrangement, demonstrating the fundamental concept of covalent bonding.