Frequently Examined
Covalent bonding questions appear on every paper. Key patterns:
- Draw a dot-cross diagram for H₂, H₂O, NH₃, CH₄, HCl, Cl₂, O₂, N₂, CO₂ — 2-3 marks
- Explain why a substance is covalent (non-metals, electrons shared) — 2 marks
- State the number of bonds an atom makes (from electron configuration) — 1 mark
- Compare single/double/triple bonds in terms of strength and length — 2 marks
- Higher tier: Explain why N₂ is unreactive (triple bond, high bond energy) — 2 marks
Common exam trap: distinguishing between properties of simple molecular covalent substances vs giant covalent structures.
Edexcel 1CH0: Examined in Paper 1 (1CH0/1). Edexcel questions frequently ask students to draw dot-and-cross diagrams for covalent compounds (H₂O, NH₃, CH₄, CO₂) and explain why substances are covalent (non-metals, shared electrons). Questions may also ask you to compare single, double, and triple bond strength and length. In Edexcel-style questions, the command word "Suggest" appears frequently — use your chemistry knowledge to apply to an unfamiliar context.
This exam focus covers Exam Focus within Covalent Bonding for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Covalent Bonding in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 25 exam-style questions and 21 flashcards. This topic appears less often, but it can still be a useful differentiator on mixed-topic papers. It is section 11 of 13 in this topic. Treat this as a marking guide for what examiners are looking for, not just a fact list.
Practice questions for Covalent Bonding
Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?
Explain the difference between a bonding pair and a lone pair of electrons in a covalent molecule.