Unit 3

An extension to Covalent Bonding Concept

A covalent bond is thus formed by an overlap of two atomic orbitals. The atomic orbitals is essentially the "home" of the electrons. So when the orbitals overlap, the electrons are shared.

Covalent bonding usually occurs between non-metals that would prefer not to lose electrons but would still like to gain a stable octet structure. This is because non-metals usually belong to group 6 or group 7 which are usually a -2 or - charge so it is harder for the atom to lose electrons in order to gain a stable octet structure.

So each atom shares the amount of electrons it needs to achieve a noble gas electronic structure.

Covalent Bonding may result in simple covalent molecules or macromolecules like diamond and graphite.
Illustration of how covalent bonding occurs