This memory aid covers Memory Aids 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 10 of 13 in this topic. Use it for quick recall, then test yourself straight afterwards so the memory aid becomes usable in an answer.
🧠 Memory Aids
CO-valent = CO-operate = SHARE: The "co" prefix means "together" — co-operative means working together. Covalent bonds work by atoms cooperating (sharing), not by one taking from the other.
Number of bonds from the periodic table:
- Group 4 (C, Si) → 4 bonds (need 4 to reach 8)
- Group 5 (N, P) → 3 bonds (need 3 to reach 8)
- Group 6 (O, S) → 2 bonds (need 2 to reach 8)
- Group 7 (F, Cl) → 1 bond (need 1 to reach 8)
- Group 1 (H) → 1 bond (need 1 to reach 2)
Dot-cross rule: "No brackets for covalent, only overlap" — covalent diagrams use overlapping circles without square brackets. Brackets and charges are only for ionic compounds.
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.