6.2.3

Representing Covalent Bonds

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Representing Covalent Bonds

There are many ways of representing covalent bonds in a molecule. 4 ways of representing ammonia are shown below:

Dot-and-cross with shells

Dot-and-cross 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.
Dot-and-cross without shells

Dot-and-cross 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.
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.
Lines

Lines

  • The atomic symbol represents the atom.
  • Lines between the atoms represent a covalent bond.
Jump to other topics
1

States of Matter

2

Elements, Compounds & Mixtures

3

Atomic Structure

4

The Periodic Table

5

Chemical Formulae, Equations & Calculations

6

Bonding

7

Electrolysis

8

Groups of the Periodic Table

9

The Atmosphere

10

Reactivity Series

11

Metal Extraction

12

Acids & Alkalis

13

Chemical Tests

14

Physical Chemistry

15

Organic Chemistry

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