Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds involve sharing electrons to fill outer electron shells

• Shells have 8 valence electrons

  • besides hydrogen which has 2

• Bonds hold the atoms of molecule together

• They can be polar or no polar

• Electronegativity: the ability of atoms to attract electrons

• Polar covalent bonds occur when their is a DIFFERENCE in electronegativity between bonded atoms

  • Water has polar covalent bonds and is a polar molecule

• Relative Electronegativity

  • O>N>C=~H

Summary

• A covalent bond is interactions WITHIN A MOLECULE, between atoms, involving shared valence electron

• No polar and polar covalent bonds

  • Depends on Electronegativity difference between atoms in the bond

• Strong & can be long lasting

• Made and broken in chemical reactions