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3 Jan 2026

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2 pages

Understanding Covalent Bonding: Essential Concepts

anna🦋🧬📓🔬

@biannnl

Ever wondered how atoms stick together to form the substances... Show more

$# COVALENT BONDING Non-metal + Non-metal ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM $H_2$ $ \begin{array}{c} H \\ \end{array}$ $ \begin{array}{c} X \\ \end$

Understanding Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding happens when two non-metal atoms decide to share electrons rather than give them away completely. Think of it like sharing a favourite book with a mate - both of you get to use it!

The simplest example is hydrogen gas (H₂). Two hydrogen atoms each contribute one electron to form a shared pair, creating what we call a single covalent bond. This sharing helps both atoms achieve a full outer energy level, making them much happier and more stable.

You can represent these bonds in three different ways: dot and cross diagrams (showing individual electrons), energy level diagrams (showing electron shells), and stick diagrams (where each line represents a shared pair). The stick diagram H-H is probably the easiest to draw in exams!

Key Point: In hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen shares its single electron with chlorine, whilst chlorine shares one of its seven outer electrons back - perfect teamwork for a stable molecule.

$# COVALENT BONDING Non-metal + Non-metal ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM $H_2$ $ \begin{array}{c} H \\ \end{array}$ $ \begin{array}{c} X \\ \end$

Multiple Bonds and Molecular Properties

Not all atoms are satisfied with just one shared pair! Oxygen molecules (O₂) form double covalent bonds by sharing two pairs of electrons, shown as O=O. Nitrogen (N₂) goes even further with a triple bond (N≡N), sharing three pairs - making it incredibly strong and stable.

Small covalent molecules like water, ammonia, and methane have surprisingly low melting and boiling points. Most are gases or liquids at room temperature, which explains why you can breathe oxygen and why water flows from your tap.

Here's the clever bit: whilst the covalent bonds within each molecule are incredibly strong, the intermolecular forces between different molecules are really weak. It's like having super-strong friendship groups, but the groups barely interact with each other.

Remember: Dot and cross diagrams have limitations - they're 2D representations that don't show actual atomic sizes, so don't expect molecules to look exactly like your drawings in real life!

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3 Jan 2026

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2 pages

Understanding Covalent Bonding: Essential Concepts

anna🦋🧬📓🔬

@biannnl

Ever wondered how atoms stick together to form the substances around you? Covalent bonding is nature's way of letting non-metal atoms share electrons to create everything from the water you drink to the air you breathe.

$# COVALENT BONDING Non-metal + Non-metal ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM $H_2$ $ \begin{array}{c} H \\ \end{array}$ $ \begin{array}{c} X \\ \end$

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Understanding Covalent Bonding

Key Point: In hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen shares its single electron with chlorine, whilst chlorine shares one of its seven outer electrons back - perfect teamwork for a stable molecule.

$# COVALENT BONDING Non-metal + Non-metal ENERGY LEVEL DIAGRAM $H_2$ $ \begin{array}{c} H \\ \end{array}$ $ \begin{array}{c} X \\ \end$

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Multiple Bonds and Molecular Properties

Remember: Dot and cross diagrams have limitations - they're 2D representations that don't show actual atomic sizes, so don't expect molecules to look exactly like your drawings in real life!