2.3.2
Covalent Lewis Structures
Representing Covalent Bonds
Representing Covalent Bonds
There are many ways of representing covalent bonds in a molecule. 4 ways of representing ammonia are shown below:
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%202.1.4.4%20-%20NH3%20dot%20and%20cross%20diagram%20with%20shells,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Lewis with shells
Lewis with shells
- Dots represent the outer shell electrons of atoms of 1 element.
- Crosses represent the outer shell electrons of atoms of the other element.
- A limitation of this method is that it shows electrons differently for each atom, when they are actually exactly the same.
%202.1.4.5%20-%20NH3%20dot%20and%20cross%20without%20shells,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
%202.1.4.5%20-%20NH3%20dot%20and%20cross%20without%20shells,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Lewis without shells
Lewis without shells
- Dots represent the outer shell electrons of atoms of 1 element.
- Crosses represent the outer shell electrons of atoms of the other element.
%202.1.4.7%20-%20NH3%20ball%20and%20stick%20model,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
%202.1.4.7%20-%20NH3%20ball%20and%20stick%20model,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Ball-and-stick
Ball-and-stick
- Balls represent atoms.
- Sticks represent bonds between the atoms.
- A limitation of this method is that atoms are much closer together than the diagram shows.
%202.1.4.6%20-%20NH3%20line%20diagram,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
%202.1.4.6%20-%20NH3%20line%20diagram,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Lines
Lines
- The atomic symbol represents the atom.
- Lines between the atoms represent a covalent bond.
Lewis Diagrams
Lewis Diagrams
Lewis diagrams can be used to represent covalent bonds and to show the sharing of electron pairs.
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%202.1.4.1%20-%20Covalent%20bonding%20in%20chlorine,h_400,q_80,w_640.png)
Chlorine (Cl2)
Chlorine (Cl2)
- Each chlorine (Cl) atom begins with 7 electrons in its outer shell.
- By sharing 1 pair of electrons in a single covalent bond, each Cl atom obtains a full outer shell with 8 electrons.


Water (H2O)
Water (H2O)
- Because oxygen has 6 electrons in its outer shell, it needs to have 2 extra electrons shared with it to get a full outer electron shell.
- To do this, it forms a single covalent bond with 2 hydrogen atoms.


Double and triple bonds
Double and triple bonds
- The earlier examples show single covalent bonds (1 shared pair of electrons between atoms), but it is also possible to form double (2 shared pairs) and even triple covalent bonds (3 shared pairs).
- Double and triple bonds are normally stronger and require more energy to break.


Oxygen (O2)
Oxygen (O2)
- Each oxygen needs 2 electrons to get a full outer shell.
- Therefore, each oxygen atom shares 2 electrons with the other, leaving 2 pairs of electrons in the shared space between the atoms.
- This is an example of a double covalent bond.
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
Jump to other topics
1Structure - Models of the Particulate of Matter
1.1Introduction to the Particulate Model of Matter
1.2The Nuclear Atom
1.3Electron Configuration
1.4Counting Particles by Mass: The Mole
1.6Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
1.7States of Matter & Changes of State
1.8Reacting Masses &. Volumes
1.9Solutions
2Structure - Models of Bonding & Structure
2.1The Ionic Model
2.2The Covalent Model
2.3Covalent Structures
2.4The Metallic Model
2.5From Models to Materials
2.6Valence Electrons & Ionic Compounds
2.7Molecular Shape
3Structure - Classification of Matter
3.1The Periodic Table: Classification of Elements
3.2Periodic Trends
3.3Group 1 Alkali Metals
3.4Halogens
3.5Noble gases, group 18
3.6Functional Groups: Classification of Organic
3.7Functional Group Chemistry
3.8Alkanes
3.9Alcohols
4Reactivity - What Drives Chemical Reaction?
4.1Endothermic & Exothermic Reactions
4.2Enthalpy of Reaction, Formation, & Hess' Law
5Reactivity - How Much, How Fast & How Far?
5.1Kinetics
5.2Rates of Reaction
5.3Stoichometry
5.4Le Châtelier’s Principle
5.5Introduction to Equilibrium
5.6Equilibrium Constant
5.7Reaction Quotient & Equilibrium Constant
6Reactivity - The Mechanisms of Chemical Change
6.1Proton Transfer Reactions
6.2The pH Scale
6.3Strong & Weak Acids and Bases
6.4Acid Deposition
6.5Types of Organic Reactions
6.6Oxidation & Reduction
6.7Electrochemical Cells
6.9Acid-Base Titrations
6.9.1Titration Calculation Weak Acid & Strong Base
6.9.2Titration Experimental Detail
6.9.3Extended Response - Titration
6.9.4Titration Calculations
6.9.5Titration Curves
6.9.6Titration Calculation Strong Acid & Weak Base
6.9.7IB Multiple Choice - Titrations
6.9.8Polyprotic Acids
6.9.9Titration Calculations Strong Acid & Strong Base
6.9.10Titrations Curves 2
7Measurement, Data Processing & Analysis
7.1Uncertainties & Errors in Measurements & Results
7.2Graphical Techniques
7.3Spectroscopic Identification of Organic Compounds
7.4Infrared Spectroscpy
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