Covalent Bonding

Covalent Bonding

A covalent bond is formed when two non-metal atoms are sharing pairs of electrons. These shared electrons are usually found in the outer shell. Covalently bonded substances can be:

• Small molecule e.g water
• Large molecules e.g polymers
• Giant covalent structures e.g diamond

The atoms in molecules are held together by strong electrostatic forces of attraction between the positive nuclei and the negative electrons in the bonded atoms.

Covalent bonding results in the formation of molecules this can be:

• simple molecules 
• giant covalent structures

e.g silica- this is found in sand and is an example of a giant covalent structure. It contains many silicon and oxygen…