Chemical Bonding

1. Covalent Bonding

1.1. Electrons are shared between atoms.

1.2. Covalent bonding occurs when two or more elements share electrons.

1.3. Covalent bonding occurs because the atoms in the compound both seek to GAIN ELECTRONS

1.4. Covalent compounds are also ELECTRICALLY NEUTRAL.

1.5. This most commonly occurs when two NONMETALS bond together. Because both of the nonmetals will want to gain electrons, the elements involved will share electrons in an effort to fill their valence shells.

2. Ionic Bonding

2.1. Electrons are transferred from one atom to another.

2.2. By either losing or gaining negatively charged electrons, the reacting atoms form ions.

2.3. The oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces, which creates this ionic bond.

2.4. Ionic bonding happens between a METAL and a NON-METAL.

2.5. Ionic Compounds

2.5.1. Made up of positive and negatively charged ions, or cations and anions.

2.5.2. Ionic compounds are solids with high melting and boiling points.

2.5.3. Are ELECTRICALLY NEUTRAL. i.e. sum of positive charges = sum of negative charges.