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Chemical Bonding

Ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding principles with examples.


📘 Topic Summary

Chemical bonding is the process by which atoms share or exchange electrons to form chemical compounds. This topic covers the principles of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonding, with examples illustrating how these bonds are formed and their properties.

📖 Glossary
  • Atomic radius: The distance from the center of an atom to its outermost electron.
  • Electronegativity: The ability of an atom to attract electrons in a covalent bond.
  • Ionization energy: The energy required to remove an electron from an atom.
  • Valence shell: The outermost energy level of an atom that participates in chemical bonding.
⭐ Key Points
  • Atoms can form bonds by sharing or exchanging electrons.
  • Ionic bonds are formed when one atom loses an electron to become a positive ion and another atom gains an electron to become a negative ion.
  • Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.
  • Metallic bonds are formed when metal atoms lose electrons to form a 'sea' of electrons that can move freely.
  • Bonding involves the sharing or exchange of electrons between atoms.
🔍 Subtopics
Introduction to Chemical Bonding

Chemical bonding is the process by which atoms share or exchange electrons to form a stable molecule. This sharing or exchanging of electrons leads to the formation of chemical bonds, which are essential for the structure and properties of molecules. The type of bond formed depends on the electronegativity of the atoms involved, with more electronegative atoms tending to attract electrons towards themselves.

Ionic Bonding

In ionic bonding, one or more electrons are transferred from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions leads to the formation of an ionic bond. For example, sodium (Na) readily loses its single electron to form a positively charged ion, while chlorine (Cl) readily gains an electron to form a negatively charged ion.

Covalent Bonding

In covalent bonding, atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to form a molecule. This sharing of electrons leads to the formation of a strong chemical bond between the atoms involved. For example, the oxygen molecule (O2) is formed when two oxygen atoms share a pair of electrons.

Metallic Bonding

In metallic bonding, atoms are arranged in a regular array and share their valence electrons to form a 'sea' of electrons. This shared electron cloud allows for the free movement of electrons within the metal, resulting in its characteristic electrical conductivity.

Bond Polarity and Shape

The polarity of a bond is determined by the difference in electronegativity between the atoms involved. A polar covalent bond has a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other. The shape of a molecule is influenced by the arrangement of its bonds, with some molecules having a linear or bent shape.

Molecular Geometry and Bonding

The geometry of a molecule is determined by the arrangement of its atoms in space. This geometry can be influenced by the type of bonding involved, with molecules having multiple bonds typically being more rigid than those with single bonds.

Bond Energy and Reactivity

The energy required to break a chemical bond is known as the bond dissociation energy. The reactivity of a molecule can be influenced by the strength of its bonds, with molecules having strong bonds being less reactive than those with weak bonds.

Chemical Bonding in Everyday Life

Chemical bonding plays a crucial role in many everyday phenomena, including the properties of materials and the functioning of living organisms. For example, the strength of chemical bonds is responsible for the rigidity of bones and the flexibility of skin.

🧠 Practice Questions
  1. What is chemical bonding?

  2. Which type of bond is formed when one atom loses an electron to become a positive ion and another atom gains an electron to become a negative ion?

  3. What is the atomic radius of an atom?

  4. What is the difference between covalent and ionic bonds?

  5. What is the type of bond that forms when metal atoms lose electrons to form a 'sea' of electrons?

  6. Which term refers to the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a covalent bond?

  7. What is the process by which atoms form chemical bonds?

  8. What is the energy required to remove an electron from an atom?

  9. Which type of bond is formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons?

  1. Discuss the importance of chemical bonding in everyday life. (20 marks)

  2. Compare and contrast the characteristics of covalent, ionic, and metallic bonds. (20 marks)