Covalent Bonding Essential Question: What are the characteristics of covalent bonds?

valent (from the valence) These are bonds that overlap at the valences Think about the word… Covalent = co (together) + valent (from the valence) These are bonds that overlap at the valences

Sharing Electrons A covalent bond is the force of attraction that holds together two atoms that share a pair of valence electrons. The shared electrons are attracted to the nuclei of both atoms. This forms a molecule consisting of two or more atoms. Covalent bonds form only between atoms of nonmetals.

Summary A covalent bond is the force of attraction that holds together two atoms that share a pair of valence electrons. Covalent bonds form only between atoms of nonmetals. The two atoms that are held together in a covalent bond may be atoms of the same element or different elements. When atoms of different elements bond together, it forms a covalent compound. Covalent bonds form because the shared electrons fill each atom’s outer energy level and this is the most stable arrangement of electrons.

Chemistry of Life “Organic Chemistry” is the study of the matter that makes up living things Remember the “CHNOPS” acronym? These elements are combined in may different ways to make up living organisms.

Carbon Bonding Carbon is especially important because it bonds in many different ways – it can form very basic molecules like methane Or it can form very large and complicated molecules like DNA Scientist have created many new and useful compounds with carbon bonding, like plastics Methane DNA