2.5.4

Covalent Bonds in Simple Molecules

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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.

Illustrative background for What are covalent bonds?Illustrative background for What are covalent bonds? ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Dot-and-Cross diagramsIllustrative background for Dot-and-Cross diagrams ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in O<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub>Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in O<sub>2</sub> and N<sub>2</sub> ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in CO<sub>2</sub> and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub>Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in CO<sub>2</sub> and C<sub>2</sub>H<sub>4</sub> ?? "content

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.
Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in CH<sub>3</sub>OH (Methanol)Illustrative background for Covalent bonds in CH<sub>3</sub>OH (Methanol) ?? "content

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.

Jump to other topics

1States of Matter

2Atoms, Elements & Compounds

3Stoichometry

4Electrochemistry

5Chemical Energetics

6Chemical Reactions

7Acids, Bases & Salts

8The Periodic Table

9Metals

10Chemistry of the Environment

11Organic Chemistry

11.1Formulae, Functional Groups & Terminology

11.2Naming Organic Compounds

11.3Fuels

11.4Alkanes

11.5Alkenes

11.6Alcohols

11.7Carboxylic Acids

11.8Polymers

12Experimental Techniques & Chemical Analysis

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