BRAINCAKECovalent Bonding
A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons between two atoms. Covalent bonds usually form between non-metal atoms, which each need to gain electrons to fill their outer shell. By sharing, both atoms count the shared electrons as part of their outer shell.
Each shared pair is shown as a line in a displayed formula. A single bond is one shared pair (C–H), a double bond is two shared pairs (C=O). The number of covalent bonds an atom usually forms depends on how many electrons it needs:
H: 1 O: 2 N: 3 C: 4
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Key terms in this lesson
- electronegative
- Describes an atom that attracts a shared pair of electrons in a covalent bond more strongly than the atom it is bonded to.
More in Chemistry for Life
- Ionic Bonding
- Important Anions
- Important Cations
- Water
- Water as a Polar Solvent
- Water as a Transport Medium
- Water as a Habitat
- Water in Plant Transport Systems
All 10 lessons in Chemistry for Life · All Edexcel AS-level Biology topics