enlace

Enlace is a Spanish noun meaning a connection, tie, or bond between two or more entities. It can refer to a physical linkage, a social or contractual tie, or a digital connection such as a hyperlink. The verb enlazar means to bind, join, or link. In specialized discourse, the word is used to denote the particular type of connection under discussion, with the exact meaning depending on the field, language, and context.

In chemistry, an enlace químico (chemical bond) is the attraction that holds atoms together within a molecule. The principal types are covalent bonds (sharing electron pairs), ionic bonds (electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions), and metallic bonds (a lattice of cations in a sea of electrons). Secondary interactions, such as hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces, influence three-dimensional structure and properties. The strength and character of an enlace determine reactivity, geometry, melting and boiling points, and the behavior of substances under different conditions.

In computing, an enlace commonly refers to a hyperlink or link that connects a resource to another location on the web or within a document. In HTML, a link is created with an anchor element and a URL; users click the enlace to navigate to the target. Enlaces can be internal (within the same site) or external (to a different site), and can include attributes to control how they open or behave.

Other uses include biology and biochemistry, with terms such as the peptide bond (enlace peptídico) that links amino acids in proteins, and the phosphodiester bond (enlace fosfodiéster) that forms the backbone of nucleic acids. Broadly, enlace also denotes a connection or liaison in social, legal, or linguistic contexts.