covalent bond

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covalent bond

Two atoms share electrons in a covalent bond.

Definition
  1. Noun:
    • A chemical bond formed between atoms by the sharing of one or more pairs of electrons: This is the primary scientific meaning. It describes a strong, stable connection where atoms share their outer electrons to achieve a full electron shell, resulting in the formation of a molecule.
Usage and Examples
  • Noun:
    • A water molecule is held together by strong covalent bonds between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms.
    • In organic chemistry, the carbon-carbon covalent bond is fundamental to the structure of countless compounds.
    • The strength of a covalent bond depends on factors like the size of the atoms and the number of shared electron pairs.
Advanced Usage
  • Coordinate (dative) covalent bond: A specific type of covalent bond where both shared electrons are donated by the same atom.
    • In the ammonium ion (NH₄⁺), one of the bonds is a coordinate covalent bond where nitrogen donates both electrons to hydrogen.
  • Polar vs. Nonpolar covalent bond: Describes the nature of the electron sharing. In a polar bond, electrons are shared unequally due to differences in electronegativity.
    • The bond in a hydrogen chloride (HCl) molecule is a polar covalent bond.
Variants and Related Words
  • Covalently (adverb): In a manner involving a covalent bond.
    • The atoms are covalently bonded.
  • Covalency / Covalence (noun): The number of electron pairs an atom can share with others; the state of being covalently bonded.
  • Covalent compound (noun phrase): A compound whose atoms are held together by covalent bonds.
    • Sugar is a covalent compound.
Synonyms
  • Electron-pair bond: A more descriptive synonym emphasizing the shared electron pair.
  • Molecular bond: A term sometimes used, though it can be less precise as it may also refer to intermolecular forces.
Related Phrases and Concepts
  • Single/Double/Triple bond: Refers to covalent bonds involving one, two, or three shared pairs of electrons, respectively.
    • Oxygen gas (O₂) contains a double covalent bond.
  • Bond energy: The amount of energy required to break a covalent bond.
  • Bond length: The average distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms in a covalent bond.
covalent bond

Two atoms share electrons in a covalent bond.

Noun
  1. a chemical bond that involves sharing a pair of electrons between atoms in a molecule