Ionic/Covalent Bonding and Naming

ionic bond

A type of chemical bond formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, typically involving the transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

covalent bond

A type of chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

diatomic molecule

A molecule composed of two atoms, which may be of the same or different chemical elements.

octet rule

The principle that atoms tend to bond in such a way that they each have eight electrons in their valence shell, achieving a stable electronic configuration.

polyatomic ions

Ions composed of two or more atoms that are covalently bonded together and carry a net charge.

metallic bonds

A type of chemical bond that occurs between metal atoms, characterized by a 'sea' of delocalized electrons that can move freely, allowing for electrical conductivity and malleability.

empirical formula

A chemical formula that shows the simplest whole-number ratio of atoms in a compound, without indicating the actual number of atoms or the arrangement of atoms.

molecular formula

A chemical formula that shows the actual number of each type of atom in a molecule, providing specific information about its composition.