Covalent bonding

Question 1

Where and how do they form?

Answer 1

Between two non-metals.

Electrons are shared between the two outer shells in order to achieve a full outer shell.

Question 2

Why must the electrostatic forced within the molecule be balanced?

Answer 2

So that there’s no overall attractive or repulsive forces.

Question 3

How can the sharing of electron pairs be represented?

Answer 3

Using dot and cross diagrams and a covalent bond with a straight line (e.g. O=O)

Question 4

What are the repulsive forces due to?

Answer 4

• Inner shells of electrons repelling the outer shell of electrons (particularly the electrons which make up the covalent bond)
• The positively charged nuclei repel one another