used by scientists to represent parts of the natural world that are too difficult to observe or explain directly

used to represent the atoms and bonds in a chemical compound

used to show how chemical bonds are formed between atoms

a 3D molecular model where the atoms are represented by spheres

a 2D model of a covalent substance, showing all its atoms and bonds

Bonding models

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

Which model is used to show how chemical bonds are formed between atoms?

Which model is best for showing the relative sizes of atoms?

Which model can only be used to show covalent bonds (not ionic bonds)?

It shows the three-dimensional shape of molecules.

It accurately represents the sizes of atoms.

It clearly shows all atoms and bonds in a molecule.

It shows how electrons are shared between atoms.

Which of the following is a key advantage of the displayed formula?

Which model are these statements about?
Advantage: It clearly shows which electrons come from which atom. Limitation: It does not show the 3D structure of the chemical.

The space-filling model is useful for visualising molecular size and shape, while the {{}} model shows the 3D arrangement of atoms and bonds, which helps visualise molecular geometry.

Which type of bonding involves the sharing of pairs of electrons between atoms?

Which type of bonding occurs between metal atoms, allowing them to conduct electricity?

In {{}} bonding, one atom donates electrons to another atom, creating positive and negative ions that attract each other.

{{}} diagrams use crosses and dots to represent the electrons from different atoms. It shows how these electrons are shared to form covalent bonds.

Which of the following substances is most likely to have covalent bonding?

When a metal atom loses electrons, it becomes a {{}} charged ion.

Starter Quiz