Chemical Bonding

Intramolecular Bonds

Bonds found inside molecules that create the molecule.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when one atom gives away electrons and another atom receives them, creating cations and anions.

Cation

An ion with a positive charge created by an atom that has given away electrons.

Anion

An ion with a negative charge created by an atom that has received extra electrons.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed when atoms share electrons to achieve full outer shells.

Polar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where electrons are shared unequally, leading to slightly positive and negative charges.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

A covalent bond where electrons are shared equally, resulting in no charge difference.

Hydrophilic

Molecules that can easily interact with water, often due to polar covalent bonds.

Hydrophobic

Molecules that do not interact well with water, often containing nonpolar covalent bonds.

Hydrogen Bond

An intermolecular bond that holds two polar molecules together, usually between a positive hydrogen and a negative atom.

Electron Shells

The outer layers of electrons around an atom's nucleus that need to be filled for stability.

Intermolecular Bonding

Bonds that occur between different molecules, not within a molecule.

Strength of Bonds

Covalent bonds are the strongest, followed by ionic bonds, and then hydrogen bonds.

Weak Bonds

Bonds that may be individually weak, such as hydrogen bonds, but can be strong collectively.

Charge Difference

The difference in charge that creates cations and anions when electrons are transferred.