What is a subatomic particle that is sometimes shared when atoms bond?

An element is a pure substance consisting of only one type of atom, characterized by its atomic number. While elements are the building blocks of matter, they do not represent subatomic particles that are shared during bonding. Instead, elements themselves can combine to form compounds, but the term does not specifically refer to the particles involved in bonding.

An orbital describes a region in an atom where there is a high probability of finding an electron. While orbitals are related to the distribution of electrons, they are not subatomic particles themselves nor do they represent a shared entity during bonding. Instead, orbitals describe the arrangement and behavior of electrons around the nucleus of an atom.

An ion is an atom or molecule that has gained or lost one or more electrons, resulting in a net electrical charge. While ions are formed through electron transfer, they are not shared in the same way that electrons are in covalent bonds. Ions typically result from ionic bonding rather than the sharing of electrons between atoms.