Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms from "summary" of Chemistry Simplified NCERT Class 11 by Sanjay Sharma
When two atoms come close to each other, they may form a bond by sharing their electrons. This sharing of electrons is known as a covalent bond. In a covalent bond, the atoms involved share one or more pairs of electrons in order to achieve a stable electron configuration. Typically, this involves non-metal atoms that have high electronegativity values. The shared electrons move in the space around both nuclei, creating a region of electron density that holds the atoms together. This shared region is known as a bonding pair of electrons. Each atom also retains its own set of non-bonding electrons, known as lone pairs. These lone pairs may also contribute to the overall stability of the molecule. In a covalent bond, the atoms involved may share electrons equally or unequally, depending on their electronegativity values. If the atoms have similar electronegativity values, the electrons are shared equally, resulting in a nonpolar covalent bond. However, if one atom is more electronegative than the other, the electrons are pulled closer to that atom, resulting in a polar covalent bond. Covalent bonds can be represented using Lewis structures, which show the arrangement of electrons in a molecule. Each shared pair of electrons is represented by a dash between the atoms. Lone pairs are shown as pairs of dots around the atom.- Covalent bonds play a crucial role in the formation of molecules and compounds in chemistry. By sharing electrons, atoms are able to achieve a more stable electron configuration, leading to the creation of diverse and complex substances. Understanding the concept of covalent bonds is essential for comprehending the structure and behavior of molecules in the world around us.
