What is formed by the electrical attraction between atoms?

The formation of bonds occurs through the electrical attraction between atoms, which is fundamental to chemistry. When atoms come together, they either share or transfer electrons to achieve a more stable electronic configuration. This interaction typically results in the formation of chemical bonds.

Ionic bonds are formed when one atom donates an electron to another, resulting in the attraction between positively and negatively charged ions. Covalent bonds arise when atoms share electrons. Both types of bonds highlight how electrical forces at the atomic level lead to the creation of stable compounds or molecules.

In contrast, mixtures and solutions do not involve a chemical bond between constituents. A mixture is simply a physical combination of substances, retaining their individual properties, while a solution is a homogeneous mixture where one substance is dissolved in another. Compounds generally refer to substances formed from two or more different elements that are chemically bonded together, but the question specifically highlights the mechanism of formation, which is best described by the term bonds.