High School Why does bonding occur between atoms?

[Kenneth Boon Faker]

If each electron cloud repels other electrons and other atoms, then why can two or more atoms form molecules?

Is it to do with negative and positive charges?

 

[BvU]

Yes. It is 'cheaper together' in some cases -- namely the cases where atoms form molecules.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covalent_bond about sharing electrons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionic_bonding is an extreme case: more or less donating electrons

 

[Kenneth Boon Faker]

Yes. It is 'cheaper together' in some cases -- namely the cases where atoms form molecules.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Covalent_bond about sharing electrons
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ionic_bonding is an extreme case: more or less donating electrons

Good stuff. Thanks you :)

 

[sophiecentaur]

If each electron cloud repels other electrons and other atoms, then why can two or more atoms form molecules?

Is it to do with negative and positive charges?

Yes. The whole of Chemistry is about electric attraction and repulsion.
Everything in life is down to Energy in the end and you can get much better answers than when you try to use Forces. Although an isolated atom is stable, in a 'minimal potential energy situation, you can bring another atom (very) close and a more stable configuration is sometimes possible (i.e. when compounds actually can be formed). The valence electrons on an atom can be nudged into a sharing situation where each electron is attracted to both nearby nuclei; it's a lower energy situation than for two isolated atoms. (Covalent Bonding)