Lecture Notes on Covalent Bonds and Electronegativity

Key Concepts

• Covalent Bonds:

  • Atoms in a covalent bond do not always share electrons equally.
  • Electron sharing is influenced by electronegativity.

• Electronegativity:

  • Definition: The ability of an atom to attract electrons.
  • High electronegativity: Strong attraction for electrons.
  • Low electronegativity: Weak attraction for electrons.

Electronegativity in the Periodic Table

• Visualization:
  • Electronegativity gradient: Illustrated by colors from light blue to dark blue.
  • Periodic table used to visualize electronegativity trends.

Examples

Carbon and Hydrogen

• Electronegativity Values:
  • Carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativity values.
  • Similar shading on the periodic table.
• Bond Type:
  • Nonpolar covalent bond.
  • Electrons are equally shared.

Oxygen and Hydrogen

• Electronegativity Values:
  • Oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen.
• Bond Type:
  • Polar covalent bond.
  • Electrons are unequally shared.
  • Oxygen acquires a slightly negative charge.
  • Hydrogen acquires a slightly positive charge.