Learn: Covalent Bonding

Welcome!You’ve already explored chemical bonds, ionic bonding, and ionic compounds. Today, we’ll build on that knowledge by learning about covalent bonding. Let’s dive in!

What is Covalent Bonding?Covalent bonding occurs when two non-metal atoms share pairs of electrons to form a bond. This happens because both atoms want to achieve a full outer electron shell. It creates strong bonds and forms molecules.

Why Does Covalent Bonding Happen?Non-metals generally have high numbers of electrons in their outer shells, so they prefer to share electrons rather than losing or gaining them. This sharing allows both atoms to achieve a stable electronic configuration.

Representing Covalent BondsCovalent bonds can be represented using a dot and cross diagram, where shared electrons are shown as dots and crosses. For example, a water molecule (H2O) shows oxygen sharing electrons with two hydrogen atoms.

Simple Covalent MoleculesCommon examples of simple covalent molecules include water (H2O), carbon dioxide (CO2), and methane (CH4). These molecules are made up of a small number of atoms joined by covalent bonds.

Properties of Covalent CompoundsCovalent compounds usually have low melting and boiling points because the forces between molecules (intermolecular forces) are weak. They do not conduct electricity because they do not have free electrons or ions.

Giant Covalent StructuresSome covalent compounds form giant covalent structures, such as diamond and graphite. These have very high melting points and strong bonds throughout the structure.

Review Time!Great work! You've learned what covalent bonding is, how it works, and its properties. Now let’s test your understanding with a few questions.