4.7 - Types of Chemical Bonding
Enroll to start learning
You’ve not yet enrolled in this course. Please enroll for free to listen to audio lessons, classroom podcasts and take practice test.
Interactive Audio Lesson
Listen to a student-teacher conversation explaining the topic in a relatable way.
Ionic Bonds
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Today, we’ll discuss ionic bonds, which are formed by the transfer of electrons. Can anyone tell me what happens during this process?
Is it when a metal loses electrons?
Exactly! Metals lose electrons to become positively charged ions, or cations. What happens to non-metals?
They gain electrons to form anions!
That's correct! This results in an electrostatic attraction between the cations and anions. Can anyone give an example of an ionic compound?
Sodium chloride, or table salt!
Great example! Remember, the formula NaCl shows the ratio of sodium ions to chloride ions in the compound.
What about its properties?
Ionic compounds are generally solid at room temperature, with high melting and boiling points, and they conduct electricity when melted or dissolved in water.
To sum up, ionic bonds form through electron transfer, resulting in charged ions that attract each other, leading to stable compounds.
Covalent Bonds
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Now, let’s switch to covalent bonds. Who can explain what a covalent bond is?
Isn't it when atoms share electrons?
Correct! Covalent bonds typically occur between non-metal atoms. Can anyone think of examples?
Hydrogen gas, H₂?
Yes! Two hydrogen atoms share their electrons to form H₂. How about another example?
Water!
Excellent! H₂O has covalent bonds where each hydrogen shares electrons with oxygen. What’s interesting about covalent compounds comparing to ionic?
Covalent compounds can be gases or liquids, while ionic are usually solids.
Right! Also, covalent compounds generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. To summarize, covalent bonding involves sharing electrons, resulting in diverse molecular forms and properties.
Comparison of Bonds
🔒 Unlock Audio Lesson
Sign up and enroll to listen to this audio lesson
Let’s review the key differences between ionic and covalent bonds. What can you tell me?
Ionic bonds form from electron transfer, and covalent from electron sharing.
Correct! And how does this affect their physical properties?
Ionic compounds usually have high melting points and are solid, while covalent compounds can be gases or liquids with lower boiling points.
And ionic compounds conduct electricity when dissolved, but covalent compounds generally do not.
Excellent points! Remember, these differences stem from their formation and the strength of the bonds. Can anyone provide a mnemonic to help remember these distinctions?
How about 'I C the difference: Ionic conducts and Covalent shares'?
Great mnemonic! To wrap up, ionic and covalent bonds differ fundamentally in their formation, properties, and behaviors.
Introduction & Overview
Read summaries of the section's main ideas at different levels of detail.
Quick Overview
Standard
Chemical bonding is crucial for forming compounds, and this section details the two primary types: ionic bonds formed through electron transfer between metals and non-metals, and covalent bonds that arise from electron sharing between non-metals. Each type's unique properties and examples are discussed.
Detailed
In this section, we explore the two principal types of chemical bonding: ionic bonds and covalent bonds.
Ionic Bonds are formed through the transfer of electrons from metals to non-metals, resulting in the creation of positively charged cations and negatively charged anions. The electrostatic attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds them together, as seen in examples such as sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium oxide (MgO).
Covalent Bonds, on the other hand, involve the sharing of electrons between non-metal atoms. This sharing allows each atom to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, contributing to stability. Common examples include molecular hydrogen (H₂), oxygen (O₂), and water (H₂O).
This distinction between ionic and covalent bonds is fundamental to understanding chemical interactions and compound formation.
Youtube Videos
Audio Book
Dive deep into the subject with an immersive audiobook experience.
Electrovalent (Ionic) Bond
Chapter 1 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Electrovalent (Ionic) Bond
● Formed by the transfer of electrons
● Between metals and non-metals
● Metal loses electrons → cation
● Non-metal gains electrons → anion
● Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions
Examples:
● NaCl (Na⁺ and Cl⁻)
● MgO (Mg²⁺ and O²⁻)
Detailed Explanation
An electrovalent bond, also known as an ionic bond, occurs when one atom transfers electrons to another. In this bonding, typically a metal atom loses one or more electrons, resulting in a positive charge (a cation). Conversely, a non-metal atom gains those electrons, acquiring a negative charge (an anion). The resulting oppositely charged ions attract each other due to electrostatic forces, forming a stable ionic compound. Common examples include sodium chloride (NaCl) and magnesium oxide (MgO).
Examples & Analogies
Imagine two friends trading toys. One friend, who has lots of toys (the metal), decides to give away some toys to their friend who has none (the non-metal). Once the toy is given away, both friends are happier: the giver has less but is satisfied, and the receiver has gained something valuable. This exchange creates a bond, similar to how ionic bonds form between atoms.
Covalent Bond
Chapter 2 of 2
🔒 Unlock Audio Chapter
Sign up and enroll to access the full audio experience
Chapter Content
- Covalent Bond
● Formed by the sharing of electrons
● Between non-metal atoms
● Shared electrons contribute to both atoms’ octets
Examples:
● H₂ (H–H)
● O₂ (O=O)
● H₂O (H–O–H)
Detailed Explanation
A covalent bond is formed when two non-metal atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer shell, thus stabilizing both atoms involved. In a covalent bond, the shared electrons allow each atom to reach a stable electronic configuration, often resembling that of noble gases. For example, in a hydrogen molecule (H₂), each hydrogen atom shares one electron, resulting in a stable bond. Similarly, in a water molecule (H₂O), the oxygen atom shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms.
Examples & Analogies
Think of two friends collaborating on a project. Instead of competing for resources, they decide to share their materials equally. By sharing, they create something bigger and better together, much like how atoms form covalent bonds by sharing electrons to create stable molecules.
Key Concepts
-
Ionic Bond: Formed by electron transfer from metals to non-metals.
-
Covalent Bond: Formed by electron sharing between non-metals.
-
Cation: A positively charged ion.
-
Anion: A negatively charged ion.
Examples & Applications
Sodium Chloride (NaCl) is an example of an ionic bond.
Water (H₂O) is an example of a covalent bond.
Memory Aids
Interactive tools to help you remember key concepts
Rhymes
Ionic bonds attract with a zap, electrons transfer in a big clap.
Stories
Once upon a time in Atom Land, the metals were strong but needed friends. They danced with non-metals and shared electrons, forming happy covalent bonds, while some let go of theirs to make ionic friends.
Memory Tools
Ionic = Transfer, Covalent = Share (ITCS).
Acronyms
ICE helps you remember
Ionic Conducts Electricity (when molten) vs. Covalent Empowers (sharing electrons).
Flash Cards
Glossary
- Ionic Bond
A type of chemical bond formed through the transfer of electrons from metals to non-metals, resulting in the attraction between cations and anions.
- Covalent Bond
A type of chemical bond formed by the sharing of electrons between non-metal atoms.
- Cation
A positively charged ion created when an atom loses one or more electrons.
- Anion
A negatively charged ion formed when an atom gains one or more electrons.
Reference links
Supplementary resources to enhance your learning experience.