Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Stability of Noble Gases

1.

Group 18 elements (Noble Gases) exist as monoatom in nature.

2.

They are inert in nature and do not react with any other elements (or themselves) to form any chemical
compounds.

3.

In other words, they are chemically very stable (or chemically very non-reactive).

Duplet and Octet Electron Arrangement

1.

The charge on the nucleus and the number of electrons in the valence shell determine the chemical
properties of an atom.

2.

The stability of noble gas is due to their electrons arrangement.

3.

The diagram above shows the first four elements of Noble Gas. We can see that the outer most shell
(valence shell) of Helium has 2 electrons. We call this duplet electron arrangement.

4.

The maximum number of electrons can be filled in the first shell is 2 electrons, which means 2 electrons
in the first shell is considered FULL.

5.

The valence shell all other Group 18 elements (including Xenon and Radon which is not shown in the
diagram) has 8 electrons, and we call this octet electron arrangement.

6.

When the electron arrangement of an atom is duplet or octet, the energy of the electrons is very low,
and it is very difficult (even though it is not impossible) to add or remove electrons from the atom.

7.

This explains why noble gases are reluctant to react with all other elements.

The Octet Rule

1.

Atoms of other main group elements which are not octet tend to react with other atoms in various ways
to achieve the octet.

2.

The tendency of an atom to achieve an octet arrangement of electrons in the outermost shell is called
the octet rule.

3.

If the outermost shell is the first shell, then the maximum number of electrons is two, and the most
stable electron arrangement will be duplet.

4.

A configuration of two electrons in the first shell, with no other shells occupied by electrons, is as stable
as the octet electron arrangement and therefore is also said to obey the octet rule.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

How Atoms Achieve Duplet or Octet Electron Arrangement?

1.

Atoms can achieve duplet or octet electron arrangement in 3 ways:

a.

throw away the excess electron(s)

b.

receiving electron(s) from other atom if they are lack of electron(s)

c.

sharing electron

(A sodium atom throws away an electron to achieve octet electron arrangement)

(A fluorine atom receives one electron to achieve octet electron arrangement)

(Two fluorine atoms share one pair of electrons to achieve octet electron arrangement)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Chemical Bond
1.

2 types of chemical bonds are commonly formed between atoms,

namely
a.

Ionic Bond

b.

Covalent Bond

The Ionic Bond

(Ionic Bond)

1.

By releasing or receiving electron(s), the atoms will become ions and consequently form ionic bond
between the ions.

2.

Ionic bonds are always formed between metal and non-metal. For example, sodium (metal) react with
chlorine (non-metal) will form an ionic bond between sodium ion and chloride ion.

3.

The compounds formed are called the ionic compounds.

4.

Some time, an ionic bond is also called electrovalent bond.

The Covalent Bond

(Covalent Bond)

1.

By sharing electron(s), the atoms will form covalent bond between the atom and the molecule formed is
called the covalent molecule.

2.

Covalent bond is always formed between non-metal with another non-metal.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Formation Of Ion
1.

An ion is an atom or group of atoms carrying positive or negative charge. Example Ca2+, O2-, SO42- etc.

2.

If a particle has equal numbers of protons (+) and electrons (-), the particle charge is zero, and the
particle is said to be neutral.

3.

In a chemical reaction, electron(s) can be transferred from atom to another atom.

4.

If electron(s) is removed from an atom, the number of protons will be more than number of electrons. In
this case, the atom will has excess positive charge and hence form a positive ion (cation).

(An atom losses electron to form positive ion)

5.

If an atom gains electrons, there is an excess negative charge in the atom, so a negative ion is formed.

6.

In other words,
a.

The atom losing electrons forms a positive ion (cation) and is usually a metal.

b.

The atom gaining electrons forms a negative ion (anion) and is usually a non-metallic element.

(An atom gain electron to form negative ion)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Formation Of Positive Ion

1.

Usually, the atom of metals consist of 1, 2 or 3 valence electrons.

2.

In order to achieve octet electrons arrangement, the atoms will release the valence electrons.

3.

After releasing the valence electrons, the protons in the nucleus will out number the electrons. As a
result, positive ions formed.

Example: Formation of Ion with +1 Charge

(A sodium atom release one electron to form a sodium ion with +1 charge)

Example: Formation of Ion with +2 Charge

(A magnesium atom release one electron to form a sodium ion with +2 charge)

Example: Formation of Ion with +3 Charge

(An aluminium atom release one electron to form a sodium ion with +3 charge)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Formation Of Negative Ion

1.

Negative ions are formed among atoms of non-metal elements except group-18 elements.

2.

Non-metal elements usually located in group 15, 16 and 17 in the periodic table and have 5, 6 or 7
valence electrons.

3.

To achieve octet arrangement of electrons, their atoms will receive 3, 2 or 1 electron.

4.

As a result, the electrons will out number the protons and hence negative ions formed.

Formation of Negative Ions of -1 Charge

(A fluorine atom receives one electron to form a fluoride ion with -1 charge)

Formation of Negative Ions of -2 Charge

(An oxygen atom receives two electrons to form a oxide ion with -2 charge)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Difference Between An Atom And An Ion That Have Same Electrons

Arrangement
Difference Between Fluoride Ion and Neon Atom
1.

After forming an ion, the electron arrangement of the ion is similar to the noble gases.

2.

For example, the electron arrangement of fluoride ion is 2.8 which is similar to a Neon atom, 2.8.

3.

Fluoride ion and the neon atom have similar electron arrangement.

4.

Fluoride ion carries charge whereas neon atom is neutral.

(The electrons arrangement of a fluoride ion is the same as a neon atom. However, they are so much different chemically)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Ionic Bonding
1.

Ionic bonds are formed by one atom transferring electrons to another atom to form ions.

2.

Ions are atoms, or groups of atoms, which have lost or gained electrons.

3.

The atom losing electrons forms a positive ion (a cation) and is usually a metal.

4.

The atom gaining electrons forms a negative ion (an anion) and is usually a non-metallic element.

5.

Ions of opposite charge will attract one another by strong electrostatic force, thus creating an ionic bond.

6.

Ionic bond is also known as electrovalence bond.

Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 1 Metals and Group 17

Elements

1.

Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between a sodium atom (group 1
metal) and a chlorine atom (group 17 element).

2.

The electron arrangement of sodium atom is 2.8.1, which is not octet and hence not stable.

3.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the sodium atom donate/release one electron and form sodium
ion.

4.

The electron arrangement of chlorine atom is 2.8.7, which is also not octet and hence not stable, too.

5.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the chlorine atom receives one electron from sodium atom and
form a chloride ion.

6.

The sodium ion and the chloride ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract each other and form an
ionic bond between each other.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 2 Metals and Group 17

Elements

1.

Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between two potassium atoms (group
1 metal) and an oxygen atom (group 16 element).

2.

The electron arrangement of potassium atom is 2.8.8.1, which is not octet and hence not stable.

3.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the potassium atom donate/release one electron and form
potassium ion.

4.

The electron arrangement of oxygen atom is 2.6, which is also not octet and hence not stable, too.

5.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the oxygen atom receives two electrons from potassium atoms
and form an oxide ion.

6.

The potassium ions and the oxide ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract each other and form two
ionic bond between the ions.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Example: Ionic Bonding between Group 2 Metals and Group 16

Elements

1.

Figure above shows the illustration of the formation of ionic bond between a calcium atom (group 2
metal) and an oxygen atom (group 16 element).

2.

The electron arrangement of calcium atom is 2.8.8.2, which is not octet and hence not stable.

3.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the potassium atom donate/release two electrons and form
calcium ion.

4.

The electron arrangement of oxygen atom is 2.6, which is also not octet and hence not stable, too.

5.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the oxygen atom receives two electrons from the calcium atom
and form an oxide ion.

6.

The calcium ion and the oxide ion carry opposite charge, hence they attract each other and form an
ionic bond between each other.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Predicting The Formula Of Ionic Compound

1.

We can predict the charge of the ions formed from an element base on the group of the element.

2.

From the charge, we can then write the formula of the ionic compound formed.

3.

In short, we can predict the formula of an ionic compound if we know the group (in periodic table) of the
elements in the compound.

4.

Table below shows the formula of the ionic compounds formed by the elements from different group in a
periodic table.

Elements
Atoms of Metal, M

Formula of Ionic Compound

Examples

Atoms of Non-Metal, N

Group 1

Group 15

M3N

Na3N

Group 1

Group 16

M2 N

K2O

Group 1

Group 17

MN

LiCl

Group 2

Group 15

M 3 N2

Ca3N2

Group 2

Group 16

MN

MgO

Group 2

Group 17

MN2

BaBr2

Group 13

Group 15

MN

AlN

Group 13

Group 16

M 2 N3

Al2O3

Group 13

Group 17

MN3

AlI3

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Covalent Bonding
1.

Covalent bonds are formed by atoms sharing electrons to form molecules. This type of bond usually
formed between two non-metallic elements.

2.

In the formation of covalent bonds, atoms of non-metals will combine with each other to donate one, two
or three electrons for sharing.

3.

The compound formed through the formation of covalent bonds is called the covalent compounds.

Examples of Covalent Compound

Covalent
Compound

Formula

Chlorine

Cl

Hydrogen

Oxygen

Nitrogen

Covalent
Compound
Phosphorus

Formula

P4

Sulfur dioxide

SO2

Carbon
dioxide

CO2

Tetrachloromethane

CCl4

Examples of Formation of Covalent Compounds

Formation of Fluorine Molecule

1.

The electrons arrangement of a fluorine atom is 2.7

2.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, 2 fluorine atoms share 1 pair of electrons between each other.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

3.

As a result, a covalent bond formed between the 2 atoms.

Formation of Oxygen Molecule

1.

The electrons arrangement of an oxygen atom is 2.6

2.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, 2 fluorine atoms share 2 pair of electrons between each other.

3.

As a result, 2 covalent bonds formed between the 2 atoms.

Formation of Carbon Dioxide Molecule

1.

The electrons arrangement of an oxygen atom is 2.6 and the electrons arrangement of a hydrogen atom
is 1.

2.

To achieve octet electrons arrangement, the oxygen atom share 2 pair of electrons with 2 hydrogen
atoms.

3.

The hydrogen atoms achieve duplet electrons arrangement after sharing electron with the oxygen atom.

4.

As a result, covalent bonds formed between the oxygen atom and the hydrogen atoms.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Number of Bond
1.

There are 3 types of covalent bond:

a.

Single covalent bond sharing of one pair of electrons

b.

Double covalent bond sharing of two pairs of electrons

c.

Triple covalent bond sharing of three pairs of electrons

Example
Number of electron
1 pair

2 pair

3 pair

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Formation of Single Bond (Hydrogen Molecule)

Formation of Double Bond (Oxygen Molecule)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Formation of Triple Bond (Nitrogen Molecule)

Predicting The Molecular Formula Of Covalent Compounds

1.

Like the formula of ionic compounds, the formula of most covalent compounds can be predicted by
referring to the group in periodic table of the elements in the compound.

2.

We can predict the formula of a covalent compound by referring to the valency of the elements in the
compound, if we know which group in periodic table the element is located.

3.

The valency of an atom is the number of electrons receive of release to achieve octet electrons
arrangement.

4.

For example, the electron arrangement of an oxygen atom is 2.6. To achieve octet electrons
arrangement, the oxygen atom need to receive 2 electrons. Therefore, the valency of oxygen is 2.

5.

Table below shows the group of the elements, the valency of the elements and the predicted formula of
covalent compounds formed among the elements.

Element that combine

Formula of the covalent compound
Element X from Valency Element Y from Valency
Group 15
3
Group 15
3
XY
Group 15
3
Group 16
2
XY
Group 15
3
Group 17
1
XY
Group 16
2
Group 16
2
XY
2

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Group 16
Group 17

2
1

Group 17
Group 17

1
1

XY
XY

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Physical Properties - Ionic Compounds

Structure Ionic Compound

1.

In an ionic compound, the alternate positive and negative ions in an ionic solid are arranged in an
orderly way as shown in the image to the right.

2.

The ions can form a giant ionic lattice structure with ionic bond between the ions.

3.

The ionic bond is the strong electrical attraction (electrostatic force) between the positive and negative
ions next to each other in the lattice.

(Giant Lattice Structure)

(Strong Electrostatic Force formed between the positive and negative ions)

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Properties of Ionic Compounds

1.

The strong bonding force makes ionic compounds has high melting and boiling points.

2.

All ionic compounds are crystalline solids at room temperature.

3.

They are hard but brittle, when stressed the bonds are broken along planes of ions which shear away.

4.

Many, ionic compounds (but not all) are soluble in water.

5.

The solid crystals DO NOT conduct electricity because the ions are not free to move to carry an electric
current.

6.

However, if the ionic compound is melted or dissolved in water, the liquid will now conduct electricity, as
the ion particles are now free.

Physical Properties Of Covalent Compounds - Simple Molecule

Covalent compounds can be divided into 2 types:
1.

Simple molecular compound

2.

Macromolecular compound

Simple Molecules

1.

Most covalent compounds are made up of independent molecular units, as shown in figure above.

2.

The attraction force between molecules is the weak Van der Waals force.

Chapter 5 : Chemical Bond

Properties of Simple Covalent Molecular Substances - Small Molecules!

1.

The intermolecular force between the simple covalent molecules is very weak. Therefore, covalent
compounds have low melting and boiling point.

2.

They are also poor conductors of electricity because there are no free electrons or ions in any state to
carry electric charge.

3.

Most small molecules will dissolve in a solvent to form a solution.