U3S4 Covalent Bonds - Vocabulary

Vocabulary flashcards covering covalent bonds and covalent compounds from the lecture notes.

Covalent bond

A chemical bond formed between nonmetals that involves the sharing of electrons.

Nonmetals

Elements that form covalent bonds by sharing electrons.

Electron sharing

The process by which electrons are shared between atoms in a covalent bond.

Valence shell

The outermost electron shell of an atom.

Octet

A stable arrangement of eight electrons in the valence shell (for most atoms).

Hydrogen and helium valence shells

Hydrogen and helium require only two electrons in their valence shells to be stable.

Single bond

A covalent bond formed when two atoms share one pair of electrons.

Double bond

A covalent bond formed when two atoms share two pairs of electrons.

Triple bond

A covalent bond formed when two atoms share three pairs of electrons.

Covalent compounds

Compounds formed by covalent bonds; tend to be soft and brittle with low melting/boiling points and do not conduct electricity.

Diamond

A covalent network solid in which carbon atoms form a 3D network; very hard and not brittle.

Ozone (O3)

A covalent compound consisting of three oxygen atoms; helps shield Earth from UV radiation.

Methane (CH4)

A covalent compound with one carbon atom bonded to four hydrogens; a major component of natural gas.

Ammonia (NH3)

A covalent compound with one nitrogen atom bonded to three hydrogens; used as a fertilizer.

Nonconductors of electricity

Covalent compounds do not conduct electricity (insulators).