Covalent Bonding

Question 1

Definition of a covalent bond

Answer 1

The ELECTROSTATIC FORCES OF ATTRACTION between a SHARED PAIR OF ELECTRONS and two adjacent nuclei of the atoms involved

Question 2

When does covalent bonding occur?

Answer 2

When a non metal reacts with a non metal (both trying to gain electrons). MOLECULE

Question 3

What is a single covalent bond?

Answer 3

When ONE PAIR of electrons is shared between 2 atoms
One horizontal line between the atoms

Question 4

What is a double covalent bond?

Answer 4

2 PAIRS OF ELECTRONS shared by 2 atoms
2 horizontal lines in a column between the atoms

Question 5

What is a triple covalent bond and how is it shown

Answer 5

3 PAIRS OF ELECTRONS SHARED by 2 atoms
3 horizontal lines in a column between the atoms

Question 6

Explain the structure of covalent compounds

Answer 6

Can be simple or giant
Majority are simple and therefore exist as liquids and gases
Held together by STRONG COVALENT bonds within the molecule but only have WEAK INTERMOLECULAR FORCES between the molecules (each molecule is strong but the molecules are not strong to each other)

Question 7

Explain the differences between ionic structures and covalent structures?

Answer 7

Ionic compounds have a higher melting/boiling point than simple covalent molecules
WEAK INTERMOLECULAR FORCES break with little energy whereas ionic compounds don’t have these forces as they are not molecules. Ionic molecules have A GIANT LATTICE structure which takes lots of energy to break resulting in high melting/boiling points.