Chapter 5 - Covalent Bonding

Question 1

Give the definition of a covalent bond

Answer 1

The strong electrostatic attraction between the shared pair of elections and the nuclei of the bonded atoms

Question 2

Between which atoms does covalent bonding occur?

Answer 2

• non metallic element
• non metallic compounds
• polyatomic ions

Question 3

What does the word localised mean in terms of covalent bonding?

Answer 3

The attraction is localised and acts only between the shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of the two bonded atoms

Question 4

When is expanding of the octet possible?

Answer 4

Only possible from the n=3 shell, when a d sub shell becomes available

Question 5

What is a dative covalent bond?

Answer 5

A dative covalent bond is where the shared pair of electrons is supplied by one of the bonding atoms - it previously used to be a lone pair

Question 6

What is average bond enthalpy and what does it mean when the enthalpy is larger?

Answer 6

It is a measurement of the covalent bond strength and it means that when the enthalpy is larger, the covalent bond is stronger.