A particle consisting of a fixed number of (two or more) non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.

The strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of the bonded atoms.

Is used to show how chemical bonds are formed between atoms. The electrons from one atom are shown as dots and the electrons from the other atom are shown as crosses.

Shows the simplest whole number ratio of atoms of each element in a compound.

A 2D model of a covalent substance, showing all its atoms and bonds. Lines are used to represent shared pairs of electrons.

Forming covalent bonds

Combined science

In the Chemistry of Carbon unit, pupils will build on their understanding of chemical bonding to explore the unique properties and bonding of carbon, leading to various natural and synthetic organic compounds.

In the Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table unit, pupils learned about the model of the atom, isotopes, and the arrangement of elements in the periodic table.

Structure and bonding

A bond between a metal and a non-metal atom.

A bond where two non-metal atoms share a pair of electrons.

A bond formed of ions, where atoms have transferred electrons.

How many covalent bonds will an atom form if it needs three electrons to complete its outer shell?

All of the atoms present in the substance.

A shorthand version of the structure, showing only some of the atoms.

A shorthand version of the structure, showing only some of the bonds.

Each line drawn represents a shared pair of electrons.

What does a displayed formula of a covalent substance show?

To show the physical state of a substance.

To show how chemical bonds are formed between atoms.

To represent the empirical formula of a compound.

What is the purpose of a dot and cross diagram?

A {{}} is a particle consisting of a fixed number of non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.

Atoms can share multiple pairs of electrons to achieve full outer shells, leading to double or {{}} covalent bonds.

Which type of bond forms between atoms that have transferred electrons from one atom to another?

What type of elements typically form ionic bonds?

How many outer-shell electrons does an oxygen atom have?

A {{}} is a particle consisting of two or more non-metal atoms bonded together. It can be made up of the same or different elements.

Arrange the following molecules by the number of covalent bonds each has, from least to most:

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