6 - Covalent Bonding Flashcards
What are Covalent bonds?
The bond formed when a pair of electrons is shared between 2 atoms
What holds atoms together when a covalent bond has been formed?
- Strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive nuclei + the electrons in bonded atoms
- Also SOME weak forces of attraction between molecules
What does covalent bonding form?
Molecules
What is a Molecule?
A group of 2 or more atoms held together by CHEMICAL bonds
What are covalent bonds formed between?
Non-metal atom
How does covalent bonding allow molecules to become more stable?
- Covalent bonding = sharing a pair of electrons
- By forming a bond, the atoms become more stable
—> They can use the shared electrons to complete their outer electron shells
What is the typical width of atoms and small molecules?
What is Valency?
The Num of covalent bonds formed by an atom, or the charge num formed by an atom
Valency = bonds formed
What is Molecular formula?
The formula showing the actual num of atoms of each element in a molecule of a compound
What does this line show in a molecular structure?
A covalent bond
What diagrams show how covalent bonds are formed?
Dot & cross digrams
What are non-bonding electrons?
Electrons on the outer shell which are not involved in the covalent bonds
Why don’t simple covalent molecules conduct electricity?
As they do not contain free electrons
