May 6, 2024

Covalent Bonding

LEARNING OBJECTIVE

Describe and represent covalent bonding.

KEYWORDS: non-metal,
bond, sharing electrons

Starter: What is covalent bonding? Can you give an

example?

LEARNING OUTCOMES:

3/4 I can state what a covalent bond is (3/4)

5/6 I can describe covalent bonds in terms of electrostatic attractions (5/6)
7/8 I can explain the formation of covalent compounds using dot and cross diagrams (7/8)
 The covalent bond
When non-metal atoms react together, they need to gain electrons to fill
their outer shell and become stable.

incomplete
H outer shells H

They can only do this if they share electrons with each other.

both atoms have a full

outer shell
H H

The atoms share electrons so there is a strong force that joins the atoms
together. This is called a covalent bond.
 Covalent bonding and elements
Many elements exist as molecules – two or more atoms joined by a covalent
bond. Each atom has a full outer electron shell and is therefore stable.

H H O O Cl Cl
Only the outer shell of electrons is involved in covalent bonding. This
means that the inner shells do not always have to be included in diagrams.

Two common ways to indicate a covalent bond are:

H –H dot and cross

solid line
H H
H– H
diagram
 Covalent bonding in hydrogen
Hydrogen (electron configuration: 1) needs 1 more electron to have a completely full
outer shell.

To achieve this, it can share an electron with another hydrogen atom. This creates a
single bond and the two hydrogen atoms form a hydrogen molecule.

H H

H2 or H–H

There are two atoms in the molecule so it is called diatomic.

 Covalent bonding in chlorine
Chlorine (2.8.7) needs 1 more electron to have a completely full outer shell.

To achieve this, it can share an electron with another chlorine atom. This
creates a single bond.

Cl Cl
Cl

Cl2 or Cl–Cl
Check Point - Covalent Bonding Questions

1. An element, ‘A’, has 3 shells of electrons. Its 3rd shell contains 7 electrons. ‘A’ covalently
bonds to hydrogen. Describe and explain the bonding in the molecule that is formed. (4 marks)

2. Which of the molecules below contains a double covalent bond? Explain your answer. (2 marks)

Molecule A Molecule B Molecule C

Total marks = 6. Your target is at least 5/6 to show that you

understand this topic!
Challenge: How might double and triple bonds be formed?

• A double bond is formed when atoms share TWO pairs of electrons

• A triple bond is formed when atoms share THREE pairs of electrons

 Independent task

We have seen some examples of covalent bonding. Now can you model an example of
covalent bonding of Oxygen O2 and Nitrogen N2.
 Covalent bonding in oxygen
Oxygen (2.8.6) needs 2 more electrons to have a completely full outer shell.

To achieve this, it can share two electrons with another oxygen atom. This
creates a double bond.

O O O O

O2 or O=O
 Covalent bonding in nitrogen
Nitrogen (2.8.5) needs 3 more electrons to have a completely full outer shell.

It can share three electrons with another nitrogen atom to do this. This
creates a triple bond.

NN N N

N2 or N≡N
 Now for some covalent compounds practice
Draw dot and cross diagrams to represent the following molecules:

• H2 O
• HCl
Easy
• Ammonia, NH3
• Methane, CH4
• Ethene, C2H4
• CO2 Harder
• Methanol, CH3OH
 Now for some covalent compounds practice
Draw dot and cross diagrams to represent the following molecules:

• H2 O
• HCl
Easy
• Ammonia, NH3
• Methane, CH4
• Ethene, C2H4
• CO2 Harder
• Methanol, CH3OH
 Covalent bonding in compounds
Covalent bonding can take place between atoms of different elements to
create molecules of covalent compounds. These covalent bonds can be single,
double or triple.

Both hydrogen (1) and chlorine (2.8.7) need 1 more electron to fill their outer
shell. By sharing one electron each, they can fill their outer shells and become
stable.

H Cl

HCl or H Cl
 Covalent bonding in water

Oxygen (2.6) needs 2 more electrons, but hydrogen (1) only needs 1 more. How can these two
elements be covalently bonded?

The oxygen atom shares 1 electron with 1 hydrogen atom, and a second
electron with another hydrogen atom.

O
H H

H2O or H O H
 Covalent bonding in ammonia
How are nitrogen and hydrogen bonded in ammonia?

H
H N

H
NH3 or H N H
H
 Covalent bonding in methane

H
How are carbon and hydrogen bonded in methane?

H
H
C

H H
CH4 or H C H
H