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Chapter 5: Problem 58

Why does the sharing of two electrons between two atoms bond the atoms to each other?

Short Answer

Expert verified
The sharing of two electrons between two atoms forms a covalent bond, bonding the atoms together and creating a molecule. This shared electron pair effectively 'fills' the valence shell of both atoms, satisfying the octet rule and giving each atom greater stability in its electron configuration. This electron sharing also generates an attractive force, which strengthens and stabilizes the bond between the atoms, making it difficult for other atoms or molecules to separate them.

Step by step solution

01

Recall Atomic Structure and Electron Configurations

Atoms consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons that orbit the nucleus in various energy levels. The arrangement of electrons in these energy levels determines the chemical behavior of an atom. The electrons in the outermost shell, also known as the valence shell, are called valence electrons. These valence electrons are the electrons that participate in chemical reactions and determine an atom's tendency to share, gain, or lose electrons.
02

Understand Atomic Stability and the Octet Rule

Atoms seek to achieve greater stability by having a complete valence shell, typically consisting of eight electrons (except for hydrogen and helium, which require only two electrons). This is known as the octet rule. Atoms can attain a full valence shell by either losing, gaining, or sharing electrons with other atoms. This process involves the formation of chemical bonds such as ionic bonds and covalent bonds.
03

Define Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds are chemical bonds that involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. In a covalent bond, two atoms come close enough to each other so that their valence electron orbitals overlap. This allows the valence electrons to be shared between the atoms, resulting in a more stable electron configuration for both atoms. Molecules are formed through one or more covalent bonds between atoms.
04

Explain the Role of Shared Electrons in Covalent Bonds

The sharing of two electrons between two atoms links the atoms together and effectively 'fills' the valence shell of both atoms. As a result, both atoms achieve greater stability in their electron configurations, satisfying the octet rule. This sharing of electrons also creates an attractive force known as a covalent bond between the two atoms, bonding them together and forming a molecule. The shared electrons effectively 'belong' to both atoms, making it difficult for other atoms or molecules to separate the bonded atoms and break the molecule apart, thus giving the bond its strength and stability.

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Most popular questions from this chapter

Chemists sometimes think of molecules with polar covalent bonds as being part covalent and part ionic. How can a bond be both covalent and ionic?

Phosphorus (P) and bromine (Br) form a compound. Predict the formula of this compound starting with dot diagrams for the atoms.

What is a binary compound? Is atmospheric oxygen an example of a binary compound?

Arrange the following sets of bonds in order of increasing ionic character. Use the symbols \(\delta+\) and \(\delta-\) to indicate partial charges, if any, in the bonds: \(\mathrm{O}-\mathrm{Cl}, \mathrm{C}-\mathrm{F}, \mathrm{N}-\mathrm{Cl}, \mathrm{O}-\mathrm{H}, \mathrm{S}-\mathrm{O}\)

Draw dot diagrams for the following simple ions: (a) \(\mathrm{I}^{-}\) (b) \(\mathrm{O}^{2}\) (c) \(\mathrm{Cl}\) (d) \(\mathrm{H}^{+}\)
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