Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure
Section outline
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Students mustMark as done
Chemical bonding is the force that holds atoms together to form molecules and compounds. Atoms bond to achieve stability, usually by attaining a full outer electron shell (octet). The main types of chemical bonds are:
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Ionic bonds: formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another (e.g., NaCl).
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Covalent bonds: formed when atoms share pairs of electrons (e.g., H₂O).
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Metallic bonds: formed between metal atoms, where electrons are shared collectively in a “sea” of electrons.
The molecular structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. It determines the molecule’s shape, polarity, physical properties, and reactivity. Understanding bonding and molecular structure helps explain how and why substances behave differently in chemical reactions.
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Students mustMark as done
Chemical bonding is the force that holds atoms together to form molecules and compounds. Atoms bond to achieve stability, usually by attaining a full outer electron shell (octet). The main types of chemical bonds are:
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Ionic bonds: formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another (e.g., NaCl).
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Covalent bonds: formed when atoms share pairs of electrons (e.g., H₂O).
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Metallic bonds: formed between metal atoms, where electrons are shared collectively in a “sea” of electrons.
The molecular structure refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms in a molecule. It determines the molecule’s shape, polarity, physical properties, and reactivity. Understanding bonding and molecular structure helps explain how and why substances behave differently in chemical reactions.
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