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What is a covalent bond?
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A covalent bond is formed when atoms share electrons.
Why might all electron shells be depicted in some dot and cross diagrams?
Depicting all electron shells can be necessary for understanding electron distribution in larger atoms or molecules.
How does the bonding in giant covalent structures contribute to their properties?
The continuous covalent bonding throughout the structure provides strength and stability, contributing to properties like high melting points.
Explain the structural representation of ammonia (NH₃) in terms of covalent bonding.
Ammonia consists of one nitrogen atom that forms covalent bonds with three hydrogen atoms, each sharing an electron with nitrogen.
What defines polymers in terms of their molecular structure?
Polymers are large, complex structures consisting of long chains of repeating units known as monomers.
Why are covalent bonds common in non-metal elements?
Non-metal elements typically need additional electrons to fill their outer shells, making them likely to share electrons.
Why are 3D models important for studying molecules?
3D models depict the true spatial arrangement of atoms in a molecule, crucial for understanding their shapes and interactions.
What is the role of intermolecular forces in simple molecular substances?
Intermolecular forces are weak interactions between molecules, affecting properties like melting and boiling points.
What are the limitations of using displayed formulas for representing molecules?
Displayed formulas do not show the 3D shape of a molecule, which can be critical for understanding molecular geometry.
Give an example where giant covalent structures are utilized in everyday materials.
Diamond and graphite, forms of carbon, are examples of giant covalent structures used in cutting tools and as lubricants, respectively.
What is the primary difference between covalent bonds and ionic bonds?
Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons, whereas ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons, producing charged ions.
How can dot and cross diagrams of a molecule be converted to a displayed formula?
By replacing the shared electron pairs in the dot and cross diagram with lines in the displayed formula.
What distinguishes a simple molecular substance from a giant covalent structure?
Simple molecular substances have small, discrete molecules with strong covalent bonds, while giant covalent structures have a continuous network of covalent bonds.
Name a few examples of simple molecular substances.
Chlorine, ammonia, water, and methane are examples of simple molecular substances.
Describe the purpose and functionality of dot and cross diagrams in covalent bonds.
Dot and cross diagrams help visualize the electron sharing in covalent bonds by using dots and crosses to represent electrons from different atoms.
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