Simple Molecular Substances

Learn these examples of simple molecular substances

  • Simple molecular substances are made up of molecules containing a few atoms joined together by covalent bonds. Here are some common examples that you should know
    • Hydrogen
    • Hydrogen atoms have just one electron.
    • They only need one more to complete the first shell so they often form single covalent bonds, either with other hydrogen atoms or with other elements, to achieve this.
    • Chlorine
    • Each chlorine atom needs just one more electron to complete the outer shell so two chlorine atoms can share one pair of electrons and form a single covalent bond
    • Oxygen
    • Each ocygen atom needs two more electrons to complete its outer shell so in oxygen gas two oxyegn atoms share two pairs of electrons with each other making a double covalent bond
    • Nitrogen
    • Nitrogen atoms need three more electrons so two nitrogen atoms share three pairs of electrons to fill their outer shells
    • This creates a triple bond
    • Methane
    • Carbon has four outer electrons, which is half a full shell
    • It can form four covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms to fill up its outer shell
    • Water
    • In water molecules, the oxygen shares a pair of electrons with two H atoms to form two single covalent bonds
    • Hydrogen Chloride
    • This is very similar to H2 and Cl2.
    • Again, both atoms only need one more electrons to complete their outer shells

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Properties of simple molecular substances

  • Substances containing covalent bonds usually have simple molecular structures, like the examples above

  • The atoms within the molecules are held together by very strong covalent bonds

    • By contrast, the forces of attraction between these molecules are very weak

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