This definitions covers Key Definitions 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 7 of 13 in this topic. Make sure you can use the exact wording confidently, because definition marks are often lost through vague language.
📖 Key Definitions
Covalent bond: A shared pair of electrons between two non-metal atoms, formed by mutual attraction of both nuclei to the electron pair between them.
Molecule: A group of atoms held together by covalent bonds, with a fixed number of atoms and a definite composition.
Single bond: One shared pair of electrons between two atoms, represented by a single line (—).
Double bond: Two shared pairs of electrons between two atoms, represented by a double line (=). Stronger and shorter than a single bond.
Triple bond: Three shared pairs of electrons between two atoms, represented by a triple line (≡). The strongest and shortest covalent bond.
Lone pair: A pair of electrons in the outer shell of an atom that is NOT involved in bonding (also called a non-bonding pair).
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.