SC6 - Covalent Bonding ✓

Question 1

SC6a - How do covalent bonds work?

Answer 1

• Two atoms with incomplete outer electron shells, share some electrons so that they each have full shells of electrons.
• For example Hydrogen is missing one electron and Chlorine is missing one and so they bond and have a pair of electrons shared between them.

Question 2

SC6a - Why do molecular compounds (covalently bonded) have low melting points?

Answer 2

While the electrostatic forces between the atoms in single molecule are very strong, the intermolecular forces of attraction are very weak and so they require little energy to break.

Question 3

SC6a - What is the valency of an atom and how does this affect the amount of bonds it forms?

Answer 3

• The valency is the number of empty spaces in its outermost shell.
• The valency is equal to the total number of bonds formed.
• When Carbon bonds Sulfur there are two sulfurs to one carbon each with a double bond (sharing two pairs of electrons) S=C=S
• This means each sulfur has a valency of two and the carbon has a valency of four.