Covalent bonding occurs when two adjacent atoms share a pair of electrons.
Covalent bonds form when atoms share electrons, typically between non-metals. They can be single, double, or triple bonds, reflecting the number of shared electron pairs. The strength and stability of covalent bonds depend on the overlap of atomic orbitals.
A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. This bond typically forms between non-metal atoms. The sharing of electrons allows both atoms to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, following the octet rule where applicable.
Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple, depending on the number of shared electron pairs. A single bond involves one pair of shared electrons (e.g., H—H in a hydrogen molecule), a double bond involves two pairs (e.g., O=O in an oxygen molecule), and a triple bond involves three pairs (e.g., N≡N in a nitrogen molecule).
The stability and strength of a covalent bond depend on the overlap of atomic orbitals. The greater the overlap, the stronger and more stable the bond will be. Covalent compounds can be visually represented using Lewis electron dot diagrams, which illustrate the bonding between atoms and the lone pairs of electrons that may exist in the molecule.
Hydrogen (H₂): Single bond (H—H)
Oxygen (O₂): Double bond (O=O)
Nitrogen (N₂): Triple bond (N≡N)
Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs usually between non-metal atoms, resulting in stable molecules with specific properties. These bonds can be single, double, or triple based on the number of electron pairs shared. Covalent compounds tend to have lower melting and boiling points and are poor conductors of electricity compared to ionic compounds.
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