Chemical Bonding and Lewis Structures Overview

Ionic Bonding

Electrons transferred between metals and non-metals.

Electrostatic Attraction

Force holding positive and negative ions together.

Covalent Bonding

Electrons shared between two atoms.

Bonding Electron Pair

Electrons shared in a covalent bond.

Lewis Structure

Diagram showing valence electrons in molecules.

Central Atom

Atom around which others are arranged.

Valence Electrons

Electrons in the outermost shell of an atom.

Octet Rule

Atoms tend to have eight electrons in valence shell.

Double Bond

Two pairs of electrons shared between atoms.

Triple Bond

Three pairs of electrons shared between atoms.

Bond Length

Distance between nuclei of bonded atoms.

Bond Strength

Energy required to break a bond.

Expanded Octet

More than eight electrons in valence shell.

Incomplete Octet

Fewer than eight electrons around an atom.

Resonance Structures

Different Lewis structures representing the same molecule.

VSEPR Theory

Predicts molecular shape based on electron repulsion.

Lone Pair

Non-bonding pair of electrons on an atom.

Bond Angles

Angles between bonded atoms in a molecule.

Trigonal Pyramidal

Shape with three bonding pairs and one lone pair.

Tetrahedral

Shape with four bonding pairs around a central atom.

Bent Shape

Molecular shape due to lone pairs pushing bonding pairs.

Polyatomic Ion

Ion composed of two or more atoms.

Electron Pair Repulsion

Repulsion between electron pairs affects molecular shape.

Halogens

Group 17 elements, typically form one bond.

Nitrogen Atoms

Usually form three bonds in compounds.

Carbon Atoms

Typically form four bonds in molecules.