What type of bond is formed when electrons are shared between atoms?

When electrons are shared between atoms, a covalent bond is formed. This type of bond occurs when two or more nonmetal atoms come together, allowing them to achieve a more stable electron configuration by sharing pairs of electrons. The shared electrons enable each atom to attain a full outer shell, which typically consists of eight electrons, a concept known as the octet rule.

Covalent bonds can vary in type depending on the equality of electron sharing. If the electrons are shared equally, the bond is considered nonpolar, while unequal sharing, due to differences in electronegativity between the bonded atoms, results in a polar covalent bond.

Ionic bonds, in contrast, involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions that attract each other. Hydrogen bonds are weaker interactions that occur between a hydrogen atom bonded to an electronegative atom and another electronegative atom. The term "polar bond" refers to a specific type of covalent bond where the sharing of electrons is uneven, leading to partial charges but does not represent the broader category of bond formed by sharing electrons, which is why covalent bond is the appropriate answer in this context.