Chemical Bonding & Octet Rule: Key Concepts and Structures

Chemical bond

A lasting attraction between atoms, ions, or molecules that enables the formation of compounds.

Ionic bond

Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Covalent bond

Sharing of electrons between atoms.

Octet rule

Atoms attain stability when they have 8 electrons in their valence shell.

Lewis electron dot structures (LEDS)

Represent the valence electrons of an atom.

Stable configuration

Achieved by electron transfer (between metals and nonmetals) or electron sharing (between two nonmetals).

Relation of octet rule to chemical bonding

Atoms bond (transfer or share electrons) to complete their outer shell with 8 electrons.

Gilbert Lewis

Developed Lewis electron dot structures (LEDS).