What is the primary feature of a covalent bond?

A covalent bond is primarily characterized by the sharing of electrons between two atoms. This sharing allows each atom to attain a more stable electronic configuration, typically resembling that of the nearest noble gas. In a covalent bond, the electrons are not transferred from one atom to another, as happens in ionic bonds, but rather they are shared in a way that both atoms can benefit from the interaction.

This concept is fundamental in understanding molecular formation and the nature of chemical compounds. For instance, in a water molecule, the oxygen atom shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms, allowing each of the participating atoms to achieve stability through mutual electron sharing.

The other options describe different types of chemical interactions. The transfer of electrons is indicative of ionic bonding, while ion formation correlates with ionic bonds and is unrelated to the nature of covalent bonding. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular attraction and are distinctly different from covalent bonds, which are intramolecular bonds. Understanding these distinctions is crucial in grasping the foundational principles of chemistry and molecular interactions.