SC6 - Covalent Bonding ✓ Flashcards Preview

Edexcel GCSE Chemistry > SC6 - Covalent Bonding ✓ > Flashcards

Flashcards in SC6 - Covalent Bonding ✓ Deck (3)
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1
Q

SC6a - How do covalent bonds work?

A
  • Two atoms with incomplete outer electron shells, share some electrons so that they each have full shells of electrons.
  • For example Hydrogen is missing one electron and Chlorine is missing one and so they bond and have a pair of electrons shared between them.
2
Q

SC6a - Why do molecular compounds (covalently bonded) have low melting points?

A

While the electrostatic forces between the atoms in single molecule are very strong, the intermolecular forces of attraction are very weak and so they require little energy to break.

3
Q

SC6a - What is the valency of an atom and how does this affect the amount of bonds it forms?

A
  • The valency is the number of empty spaces in its outermost shell.
  • The valency is equal to the total number of bonds formed.
  • When Carbon bonds Sulfur there are two sulfurs to one carbon each with a double bond (sharing two pairs of electrons) S=C=S
  • This means each sulfur has a valency of two and the carbon has a valency of four.