Chemical Bonds Overview

Flashcards covering key vocabulary and definitions related to chemical bonds, ionic and covalent bonding, and related concepts.

Chemical Bond

A force of attraction among atoms in compounds or molecules.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when electrons are transferred between atoms.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed when two or more non-metals share electrons.

Molecule

Two or more atoms chemically bonded together.

Compound

Two or more different atoms chemically bonded together.

Macromolecule

Large molecules composed of many atoms, such as proteins and nucleic acids.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost electron shell, which determine how an atom interacts with other atoms.

Anion

A negatively charged ion that is formed when an atom gains electrons.

Cation

A positively charged ion that is formed when an atom loses electrons.

Hydrogen Bond

A weak bond formed when polar molecules interact; involves attraction between partial positive and partial negative charges.

Molecular Formula

A representation of molecules using symbols and numbers indicating the kinds and numbers of atoms in a molecule.

Non-polar Covalent Bond

A bond resulting from the equal sharing of electrons between two nonmetals.

Polar Covalent Bond

A bond resulting from the unequal sharing of electrons between two nonmetals, creating a dipole.

Ionic Compounds

Compounds formed from ionic bonds, which consist of cations and anions.

Electronegativity

The ability of an atom to attract electrons in a bond.