Which type of bond involves the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between atoms?

The type of bond that involves the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between atoms is the covalent bond. In a covalent bond, atoms achieve greater stability by sharing their valence electrons, which can lead to the formation of molecules. This sharing can occur in different forms: a single covalent bond involves one pair of electrons, while double and triple bonds involve two or three pairs of electrons, respectively. This sharing allows each atom to attain a full outer electron shell, often fulfilling the octet rule, which is a key concept in understanding chemical bonding.

In contrast, an ionic bond results from the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces. Van der Waals bonds refer to weak attractions between molecules or atoms that arise from temporary dipoles, and polar bonds are a type of covalent bond where the sharing of electrons is unequal, resulting in a dipole moment. However, the fundamental characteristic of a bond that specifically involves sharing electrons is encapsulated in the definition of a covalent bond.