Chemistry·Matter · Bonding · NSSCO 2.4.3

Covalent bonding

Narrated lesson · press play

When two non-metals meet, neither will give electrons away — so they share. Learn how shared pairs make covalent bonds, how to draw dot-and-cross diagrams for molecules, single/double/triple bonds, and why simple molecular substances melt easily and don't conduct.

What you'll learn in this lesson

By the end you should be able to (NSSCO Chemistry 2.4.3):

  • Describe covalent bonding as the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between non-metal atoms
  • Draw dot-and-cross diagrams for simple molecules (H₂, Cl₂, H₂O, NH₃, CH₄)
  • Describe single, double and triple covalent bonds (O₂, CO₂, N₂)
  • Distinguish the strong bonds within molecules from the weak forces between molecules
  • Explain the properties of simple molecular substances (low melting points, non-conductors)
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Covalent bonding · NSSCO Chemistry · namstudy