When atoms share electrons unequally, the bond formed is a:

• A. metallic bond
• B. nonpolar covalent bond
• C. ionic bond
• D. polar covalent bond

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of chemical bonds: metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' shared among metal atoms; ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating ions; covalent bonds involve sharing electrons between atoms.
2. Recognize that when electrons are shared equally between atoms, the bond is called a nonpolar covalent bond.
3. Identify that when electrons are shared unequally between atoms, one atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly, leading to a polar covalent bond.
4. Recall that ionic bonds result from complete transfer of electrons, not sharing, so unequal sharing does not describe ionic bonds.
5. Conclude that the bond formed when atoms share electrons unequally is a polar covalent bond.