Chemistry: Covalent Bonds

Introduction to Noble Gases

• Noble gases have complete outer electron shells
• Stability due to complete electron shells

Concept of Bond Formation

• Atoms form bonds to achieve the noble gas configuration
• Sharing of electron pairs leads to covalent bonds

Example: Chlorine Molecules

• Chlorine atoms have 7 electrons in their valence shell
• Need 1 more electron to attain stability
• Two chlorine atoms share their electrons
• Forms a molecule of chlorine with 8 electrons in each valence shell
• Single covalent bond (represented by a single dash)

Example: Oxygen Molecules

• Oxygen atoms have 6 electrons in their valence shell
• Need 2 more electrons to complete their octet
• Share 2 electrons with another oxygen atom
• Forms a molecule of oxygen with a double bond (two pairs of shared electrons)

Example: Nitrogen Molecules

• Nitrogen atoms form a triple covalent bond
• Share three pairs of electrons to form a molecule of nitrogen