Knowledge Organiser: Covalent Bonding
Part of Covalent Bonding · GCSE GCSE Chemistry revision
This topic summary covers Knowledge Organiser: Covalent Bonding within Covalent Bonding for GCSE Chemistry. Revise Covalent Bonding in Bonding & Structure for GCSE Chemistry with 25 exam-style questions and 20 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 12 of 12 in this topic. Use this topic summary to connect the idea to the wider topic before moving on to questions and flashcards.
Topic position
Section 12 of 12
Practice
25 questions
Recall
20 flashcards
Knowledge Organiser: Covalent Bonding
Key Terms
- Covalent bond: shared pair of electrons between non-metals
- Molecule: fixed group of atoms joined by covalent bonds
- Single bond: 1 shared pair (—)
- Double bond: 2 shared pairs (=)
- Triple bond: 3 shared pairs (≡)
- Lone pair: non-bonding electron pair
Must-Know Facts
- Covalent bonding: non-metals SHARE electrons
- H needs 1 bond, O needs 2, N needs 3, C needs 4
- H₂ (single), O₂ (double), N₂ (triple)
- Strong bonds within molecules; weak forces between
- No brackets on dot-cross diagrams (no ions formed)
- Triple bond strongest and shortest
Key Equations
- H₂O: O forms 2 bonds (2 shared pairs with 2 H atoms)
- CO₂: C forms 2 double bonds with 2 O atoms (C=O=C)
- NH₃: N forms 3 bonds with 3 H atoms (plus 1 lone pair)
- CH₄: C forms 4 single bonds with 4 H atoms
Common Mistakes
- Confusing covalent and ionic bonding: Covalent = sharing between non-metals; ionic = transfer between metal and non-metal
- Drawing brackets on covalent dot-cross diagrams: No brackets needed — covalent bonding forms no ions
- Saying covalent compounds have high melting points: Simple molecular covalent compounds have LOW melting points — weak intermolecular forces (not bonds) break easily
- Mixing up lone pairs and bonding pairs: Only the shared (bonding) pairs count as the covalent bond — lone pairs stay on one atom
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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.
Quick Recall Flashcards
25 questions on Covalent Bonding — practise free
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