Covalent/ion study prep

Valence Electrons

Electrons available for bonding that are found in the outermost shell of an atom.

Covalent Bond

A chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms.

Lewis Dot Diagram

A graphical representation used to show the valence electrons of an atom.

Octet Rule

Atoms tend to combine in such a way that each atom has eight electrons in its outermost shell.

Dihydrogen Monoxide

The chemical name for water (H2O), consisting of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom.

Molecular Bonds

Bonds formed through the sharing of electrons, allowing atoms to achieve stability.

Covalent Molecule

A molecule formed by covalent bonds, where two or more nonmetal atoms share electrons.

Single Bond

A covalent bond formed by the sharing of one pair of electrons between two atoms.

Double Bond

A covalent bond involving the sharing of two pairs of electrons between two atoms.

Triple Bond

A covalent bond involving the sharing of three pairs of electrons between two atoms.

Terminal Atoms

Atoms that appear at the end of a chemical structure, such as hydrogen and halogens.

Central Atom

The atom in a molecule that is usually surrounded by other atoms and is often the first listed.

Pairs of Electrons

Electrons that are shared or held in pairs between atoms in a bond.

Exceptions to the Octet Rule

Specific cases where atoms do not follow the octet rule, such as hydrogen desiring only two electrons.

Ion

An atom that has gained or lost electrons and now has an electric charge.

Cation

Positively-charged ions that have lost electrons.

Anion

Negatively-charged ions that have gained electrons.

Ionic Bond

A bond formed when one atom gives up one or more electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of ions.

Valence Electrons

Electrons that are found in the outermost shell of an atom and can participate in the formation of chemical bonds.

Noble Gases

Elements that already have a full outer shell of electrons, making them stable and unreactive.

Lewis Dot Diagram

A diagram that shows the number of valence electrons as dots around the symbol of an element.

Charge of an Ion

The difference between the number of protons and electrons in an atom, resulting in either a positive or negative charge.

Stable Atom

An atom that is 'stable' when its outermost shell is full with electrons.

Periodic Table

A tabular arrangement of elements showing the periodic relationship between them, grouped by similar properties.