Covalent Bonding

Question 1

What is Covalent Bonding?

Answer 1

Covalent Bonds - Sharing electrons

Covalent Bonding is between two non-metals, where they share pairs of electrons to make covalent bonds.

The positively charged nuclei of the bonded atoms are attracted to the shared pair of electrons by electrostatic forces, making covalent bonds very strong.

Atoms only share electrons in their outer shells (highest energy levels)

Question 2

What are some examples of atoms that have been covalent bonded?

Answer 2

Water = H2O

Carbon Dioxide = CO2

Question 3

What are different ways to present Covalent Bonding?

Answer 3

You can use Dot and Cross Diagrams: E.g. Nitrogen has five outer electrons, so it needs to form three covalent bonds to make up the extra three electrons needed. So Hydrogen atoms can bond with the Nitrogen.

Or you can use Displayed formula to represent the same example: H
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H - N - H