Covalent Bond

Key Stage 4

Meaning

A covalent bond is a type of chemical bond in which atoms share electrons with one another.

About Covalent Bonds

Atoms are more chemically stable when their outer shell is full of electrons. One way atoms can have a full outer shell is by sharing some electrons with other atoms, this is a covalent bond.

Covalent bonds happen between non-metal elements.

Covalent bonds can be represented by a Dot and Cross Diagram to show how the electrons are shared between the outer shells of different atoms.

Examples

The two Oxygen atoms each share two of their electrons with one another.	The two Nitrogen atoms each share three of their electrons with one another.	Each Oxygen shares two of its electrons with the Carbon atom while the Carbon atom shares two electrons with each Oxygen atom.

References

AQA

Covalent bond, pages 57-9, 62-3, 72-5, GCSE Chemistry; Student Book, Collins, AQA

Covalent bonds, page 116, GCSE Combined Science; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA

Covalent bonds, page 31, GCSE Chemistry; The Revision Guide, CGP, AQA

Covalent bonds, pages 154, 156-7, 163, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA

Covalent bonds, pages 29, 78-88, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy; Chemistry, CGP, AQA

Covalent bonds, pages 29, 80-90, GCSE Chemistry, CGP, AQA

Covalent bonds, pages 38, 44-51, 149, 224-225, GCSE Chemistry; Third Edition, Oxford University Press, AQA

Covalent bonds, pages 41-2, 47-8, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA

Covalent bonds; giant covalent substances, page 44, GCSE Chemistry, Hodder, AQA

Covalent bonds; giant covalent substances, pages 159-60, GCSE Combined Science Trilogy 1, Hodder, AQA

Edexcel

Covalent bonds, pages 184-185, 186, 261, GCSE Combined Science, Pearson Edexcel

Covalent bonds, pages 40-41, 42, 147, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel

Covalent bonds; giant molecular structures, page 45, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel

Covalent bonds; simple molecular structures, page 42, GCSE Chemistry, Pearson, Edexcel