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Covalent Bonding

Covalent bonding happens between non-metals.

Covalent bonds

Covalent bonds

  • A covalent bond is one that contains a shared pair of electrons.
    • Usually, each atom gives one electron to the bond.
  • Molecules have covalent bonds holding the atoms together.
  • Covalent bonds are usually stronger than ionic bonds.
    • Covalent bonds are strong because the shared electrons are attracted to the nucleus of both atoms.
Multiple bonding

Multiple bonding

  • Atoms can also form double (e.g. O2) or triple (e.g. N2) covalent bonds.
    • There are rare examples of quadruple, quintuple, and even sextuple bonds between some heavy metal compounds.
  • Multiple bonds contain shared pairs of electrons just like single bonds.
  • Multiple bonds are usually stronger than single bonds.

Dative Bonding

A dative bond is a special kind of covalent bond.

Dative bonds

Dative bonds

  • A dative bond is a covalent bond in which both electrons in the bond come from one atom.
    • Dative bonds are sometimes called coordinate bonds.
E.g. Ammonium ion

E.g. Ammonium ion

  • Ammonium ions are made of an ammonia molecule that has attached to a hydrogen ion with its lone pair.
  • Both electrons for the coordinate bond come from the nitrogen atom.
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Principles of Science I

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Structure & Bonding

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Properties of Substances

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Cell Structure & Function

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Working with Waves

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Principles of Science II

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