Chemistry 6.2 - Bonding Between Nonmetals

How do nonmetals obey the Octet Rule?

In this way nonmetals obey the Octet Rule which asserts that atoms will attempt to achieve a full outer shell by sharing electrons with other atoms when they react to from compounds.

Explain, with the help of a dot-and-cross diagram, why the element hydrogen exists as diatomic molecules.

Two chlorine atoms bond by sharing a pair of electrons. Both atoms now have a full outer shell.

When is a Covalent bond formed?

A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share a pair of electrons.

What is a diatomic molecule?

A diatomic molecule is a molecule formed when two atoms covalently bond with each other.

Explain, with the help of a dot-and-cross diagram, why the element chlorine exists as diatomic molecules.

Two chlorine atoms bond by sharing a pair of electrons. Both atoms now have a full outer shell.

What does the term lone pair mean?

The term lone pair is used when refering to a pair of electrons in the outer shell of an atom that is not shared with another atom.

How can nonmetal atoms gain a full outer shell?

Nonmetal atoms may gain a full outer shell by sharing two or more pairs of electrons.

When is a double bond formed?

A double bond is formed when two atoms share two pairs of electrons to form two covalent bonds between the atoms.

A dot-and-cross diagram showing the bonding in a molecule of oxygen is shown below. Use the dot-and-cross diagram to explain why oxygen exists as diatomic molecules.

(A is a double bond & B is a lone pair)

Two oxygen atoms bond by sharing two pairs of electrons. Both atoms now have as full outer shell.

When is a triple bond formed?

A triple bond is formed when two atoms share three pairs of electrons to form three covalent bonds between the atoms.

What is a molecular formula?

The molecular formula for a compound contains the atoms in one molecule of the compound.

What is the structural formula?

The structual formula for a molecule can be used to quickly and clearly show how the atoms in a molecule are connected by:

• using a line between two atoms to represent shared pair of electrons

• a pair of dots (••) to represent each lone pair of electrons.

What are some examples of molecular and structual formulas?

Hydrogen, Chlorine, Water, Oxygen

Complete the table by drawing a dot-and-cross diagram, and a structural formula, for a molecule of methane CH₄.

Do these drawings.

Complete the table by drawing a dot-and-cross diagram, and a structural formula, for a molecule of carbon dioxide, CO₂.

Do these drawings.