Covalent bond

Definition

A covalent bond is a chemical bond that involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. These bonds form when atoms attain stability by having full outer electron shells.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Covalent bonds typically occur between nonmetal atoms.
2. Molecules formed by covalent bonds can be polar or nonpolar, depending on the difference in electronegativity between the atoms.
3. Single, double, and triple covalent bonds represent one, two, and three shared pairs of electrons, respectively.
4. Covalent bonds are strong and require a significant amount of energy to break.
5. The shape of molecules formed by covalent bonding is determined by the arrangement of shared and unshared electron pairs around central atoms.

Review Questions

• What types of elements typically form covalent bonds?
• How do single, double, and triple covalent bonds differ?
• Why are covalent bonds considered strong?

Related terms

Ionic Bond: A chemical bond formed through the electrical force between oppositely charged ions.

Electronegativity: The ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a covalent bond.

Molecule: A group of atoms bonded together, representing the smallest fundamental unit of a chemical compound that can take part in a chemical reaction.