2.5.4
Covalent Bonds in Simple Molecules
Covalent Bonds in Simple Molecules
Covalent Bonds in Simple Molecules
Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons to make simple molecules like CH3OH, C2H4, O2, CO2, and N2. Dot-and-cross diagrams show these bonds.


What are covalent bonds?
What are covalent bonds?
- Covalent bonds form when atoms share pairs of electrons.
- These bonds hold simple molecules together.
- Shared electrons complete atoms' outer shells.
- Atoms like carbon (C), oxygen (O), and nitrogen (N) form covalent bonds in molecules.


Dot-and-Cross diagrams
Dot-and-Cross diagrams
- Dot-and-cross diagrams show electrons from each atom.
- Dots represent electrons from one atom; crosses from another.
- Shared pairs appear between atom symbols.
- These diagrams help visualise electron sharing in covalent bonds.


Covalent bonds in O2 and N2
Covalent bonds in O2 and N2
- Oxygen (O2) has a double covalent bond, sharing two electron pairs.
- Nitrogen (N2) has a triple covalent bond, sharing three pairs.
- Double and triple bonds make molecules stable but differ in strength and length.
- Dot-and-cross diagrams show these pairs between O and N atoms.


Covalent bonds in CO2 and C2H4
Covalent bonds in CO2 and C2H4
- Carbon dioxide (CO2) has two double bonds between carbon and oxygen.
- Ethene (C2H4) has a double bond between carbon atoms and single bonds to hydrogen.
- Carbon forms four covalent bonds to reach a full outer shell.
- Dot-and-cross diagrams show shared electron pairs clearly.
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Covalent bonds in CH3OH (Methanol)
Covalent bonds in CH3OH (Methanol)
- Methanol (CH3OH) has single bonds between carbon, hydrogen, and oxygen.
- Oxygen forms two bonds: one with carbon and one with hydrogen.
- Covalent bonds share electrons to form this simple molecule.
- Dot-and-cross diagrams clarify the arrangement of electrons.
1States of Matter
1.1Solids, Liquids, & Gases
2Atoms, Elements & Compounds
2.1Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
2.2Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
2.3Isotopes
2.4Ions & Ionic Bonds
2.5Simple Molecules & Covalent Bonds
2.6Giant Covalent Structures
2.7Metallic Bonding
3Stoichometry
3.1Formulae
3.2Relative Masses of Atoms & Molecules
3.3The Mole & the Avogadro Constant
3.3.1Introducing Moles
3.3.2Amounts of Substances
3.3.3Moles & Equations
3.3.4Calculations Involving Gases
3.3.5Calculating Stoichiometric Reacting Masses
3.3.6Calculating the Moles of Solute
3.3.7Calculating Empirical Formula
3.3.8Chemical Equations
3.3.9Percentage Yield
3.3.10Calculating Yield
3.3.11Percentage Purity
4Electrochemistry
4.1Electrolysis
4.1.1Electrolytic Process
4.1.2Electrolysis Examples
4.1.3Electrolysis of a Binary Compound in Molten State
4.1.4Electroplating
4.1.5Transfer of Charge During Electrolysis
4.1.6Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
4.1.7Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate
4.1.8Electrolysis of Halide Compounds
4.1.9Half-Equations
4.1.10Combustion of Hydrocarbons
4.2Hydrogen–Oxygen Fuel Cells
5Chemical Energetics
6Chemical Reactions
6.1Physical & Chemical Changes
6.2Rate of Reaction
6.3Reversible Reactions & Equilibrium
6.3.1Reversible Reactions
6.3.2Conditions & Equilibrium
6.3.3Dynamic Equilibrium
6.3.4Changing Conditions - Heat & Water Effects
6.3.5Factors Affecting Equilibria - Temperature
6.3.6Factors Affecting Equilibria - Pressure
6.3.7Factors Affecting Equilibria - Concentration
6.3.8The Haber Process
6.3.9The Haber Process Equation
7Acids, Bases & Salts
7.1The Characteristic Properties of Acids & Bases
7.1.1Acids & Alkali
7.1.2Reactions of Metals with Acids
7.1.3Reactions of Bases with Acids
7.1.4Reactions of Carbonates with Acids
7.1.5Identifying Acids
7.1.6Properties & Effects of Acids
7.1.7Properties of Bases - Reactions with Acids & Salts
7.1.8Properties of Alkalis & Indicators
7.1.9Strong vs Weak Acids
7.1.10Strong vs Weak Bases
7.1.11Understanding Universal Indicator Paper
7.1.12Acids, Bases & the Neutralisation Reaction
8The Periodic Table
8.1Arrangement of Elements
8.2Group I Properties
8.3Group VII Properties
8.4Transition Elements
8.5Noble Gases
9Metals
9.1Properties of Metals
9.2Uses of Metals
9.3Alloys & Their Properties
9.4Reactivity Series
9.5Corrosion of Metals
9.6Extraction of Metals
10Chemistry of the Environment
10.1Water
10.2Fertilisers
11Organic Chemistry
11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology
11.2Naming Organic Compounds
11.3Fuels
11.4Alkanes
11.5Alkenes
11.6Alcohols
11.7Carboxylic Acids
11.8Polymers
11.8.1Polymers
11.8.2Problems With Polymers
11.8.3Polymers & Plastics
11.8.4Problems with Plastics
11.8.5Condensation Polymerisation
11.8.6Condensation Polymerisation Examples
11.8.7Addition Polymerisation
11.8.8Addition Polymerisation Examples
11.8.9Structure of Polymers
11.8.10Natural Polyamides - Proteins & Amino Acids
12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis
12.1Experimental Design
12.2Acid-base Titrations
12.3Chromatography
12.4Separation & Purification
12.5Identification of Ions & Gases
12.5.1Testing Aqueous Cations 1
12.5.2Testing Aqueous Cations 2
12.5.3Testing Cations - Flame Tests
12.5.4Testing Cations
12.5.5Testing for Aqueous Cations
12.5.6Testing Anions - Sulfates
12.5.7Testing Anions - Nitrates
12.5.8Testing Gases - Hydrogen
12.5.9Testing Gases - Oxygen
12.5.10Testing Gases - Carbon Dioxide
12.5.11Testing Gases - Chlorine
12.5.12Identifying Gases
Jump to other topics
1States of Matter
1.1Solids, Liquids, & Gases
2Atoms, Elements & Compounds
2.1Elements, Compounds & Mixtures
2.2Atomic Structure & the Periodic Table
2.3Isotopes
2.4Ions & Ionic Bonds
2.5Simple Molecules & Covalent Bonds
2.6Giant Covalent Structures
2.7Metallic Bonding
3Stoichometry
3.1Formulae
3.2Relative Masses of Atoms & Molecules
3.3The Mole & the Avogadro Constant
3.3.1Introducing Moles
3.3.2Amounts of Substances
3.3.3Moles & Equations
3.3.4Calculations Involving Gases
3.3.5Calculating Stoichiometric Reacting Masses
3.3.6Calculating the Moles of Solute
3.3.7Calculating Empirical Formula
3.3.8Chemical Equations
3.3.9Percentage Yield
3.3.10Calculating Yield
3.3.11Percentage Purity
4Electrochemistry
4.1Electrolysis
4.1.1Electrolytic Process
4.1.2Electrolysis Examples
4.1.3Electrolysis of a Binary Compound in Molten State
4.1.4Electroplating
4.1.5Transfer of Charge During Electrolysis
4.1.6Electrolysis of Aqueous Solutions
4.1.7Electrolysis of Copper Sulfate
4.1.8Electrolysis of Halide Compounds
4.1.9Half-Equations
4.1.10Combustion of Hydrocarbons
4.2Hydrogen–Oxygen Fuel Cells
5Chemical Energetics
6Chemical Reactions
6.1Physical & Chemical Changes
6.2Rate of Reaction
6.3Reversible Reactions & Equilibrium
6.3.1Reversible Reactions
6.3.2Conditions & Equilibrium
6.3.3Dynamic Equilibrium
6.3.4Changing Conditions - Heat & Water Effects
6.3.5Factors Affecting Equilibria - Temperature
6.3.6Factors Affecting Equilibria - Pressure
6.3.7Factors Affecting Equilibria - Concentration
6.3.8The Haber Process
6.3.9The Haber Process Equation
7Acids, Bases & Salts
7.1The Characteristic Properties of Acids & Bases
7.1.1Acids & Alkali
7.1.2Reactions of Metals with Acids
7.1.3Reactions of Bases with Acids
7.1.4Reactions of Carbonates with Acids
7.1.5Identifying Acids
7.1.6Properties & Effects of Acids
7.1.7Properties of Bases - Reactions with Acids & Salts
7.1.8Properties of Alkalis & Indicators
7.1.9Strong vs Weak Acids
7.1.10Strong vs Weak Bases
7.1.11Understanding Universal Indicator Paper
7.1.12Acids, Bases & the Neutralisation Reaction
8The Periodic Table
8.1Arrangement of Elements
8.2Group I Properties
8.3Group VII Properties
8.4Transition Elements
8.5Noble Gases
9Metals
9.1Properties of Metals
9.2Uses of Metals
9.3Alloys & Their Properties
9.4Reactivity Series
9.5Corrosion of Metals
9.6Extraction of Metals
10Chemistry of the Environment
10.1Water
10.2Fertilisers
11Organic Chemistry
11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology
11.2Naming Organic Compounds
11.3Fuels
11.4Alkanes
11.5Alkenes
11.6Alcohols
11.7Carboxylic Acids
11.8Polymers
11.8.1Polymers
11.8.2Problems With Polymers
11.8.3Polymers & Plastics
11.8.4Problems with Plastics
11.8.5Condensation Polymerisation
11.8.6Condensation Polymerisation Examples
11.8.7Addition Polymerisation
11.8.8Addition Polymerisation Examples
11.8.9Structure of Polymers
11.8.10Natural Polyamides - Proteins & Amino Acids
12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis
12.1Experimental Design
12.2Acid-base Titrations
12.3Chromatography
12.4Separation & Purification
12.5Identification of Ions & Gases
12.5.1Testing Aqueous Cations 1
12.5.2Testing Aqueous Cations 2
12.5.3Testing Cations - Flame Tests
12.5.4Testing Cations
12.5.5Testing for Aqueous Cations
12.5.6Testing Anions - Sulfates
12.5.7Testing Anions - Nitrates
12.5.8Testing Gases - Hydrogen
12.5.9Testing Gases - Oxygen
12.5.10Testing Gases - Carbon Dioxide
12.5.11Testing Gases - Chlorine
12.5.12Identifying Gases
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