8.1: Covalent Bonds

Covalent bond

A bond formed from atoms sharing electrons.

Covalent compounds

molecules.

Ionic compounds

formula units.

Stability in covalent bonding

achieved through shared electrons in their valence shell.

Covalent compounds typically form between

nonmetals.

Diatomic elements

Elements in nature that are bonded to themselves

Bond strength

increases as the number of bonds between atoms increases.

Bond length

increases with atomic radius; shorter bonds are stronger.

Bond dissociation energy

The amount of energy required to break a specific covalent bond, always a positive value.

Breaking bonds is an

endothermic process.

The shorter the bond length, the _ the bond dissociation energy.

greater

bond breaking

requires energy input

Bond length decreases as the number of covalent bonds between atoms _.

increases.

Atomic radius effect

impacts bond length, larger radii = longer bond lengths.

Covalent bond formation

allows nonmetals to achieve a full valence shell by sharing electrons.

Bond dissociation energy is always a

positive value