Atomic Bonds and Structure

based on Ms. Jones lecture notes

Covalent Bonds

A chemical bond where atoms share one of more pairs of electrons.

• non polar bonds - electrons are shared equally because atoms have an equal affinity.

• polar bonds - electrons are shared unequally if atoms have different electronegativity of affinity, resulting in charge differential along the bond (one positive and on negative)

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond that is formed through the electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, which occurs when electrons transfer from one atom to another.

• results in the formation of a positive ion (cation) and a negative ion (anion)

Hydrogen Bonds

a weak chemical bond that forms between a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom (like oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) and another electronegative atom in a different molecule or in a different part of the same molecule.

• play vital role in the formation of DNA, H2O, and proteins

Protoms

positively charged subatomic particles found in the nucleus that determine an atoms atomic number

Electrons

negatively charged subatomic particles that orbit the atom and is responsible for electrical conductivity and chemical bonding

neutrons

subatomic particles with no charge, found in the nucleus alongside protons. Also play a role is determining atomic mass.

• the number of neutrons present can differ between atoms of an element (isotopes)

  • isotopes - a version of a chemical element that has the same number of protons but a different number of neutrons in its nucleus

  • ex. C14 = 6P + 8N

Valence Electrons

Electrons located in the outermost shell of an atoms involved in chemical bonding. These electrons are furthest from the nucleus and are therefore the most likely to interact with other atoms.

• The number of valence electrons an atom has determines its chemical properties and how it will bond with other atoms

• usually, the number of protons is equal to electrons

Bonding Capacity

The number of electrons needed to fill the outer orbitals of an element, which determines how many bonds an atom can make with other atoms.

How many bonds can the main 4 elements form?

Carbon - 4 bonds

Hydrogen - 1 bond

Oxygen - 2 bonds

Nitrogen - 3 bonds