COVALENT BOND Meaning and
Definition
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A covalent bond refers to a type of chemical bond that forms when two atoms share a pair of electrons between them. It is observed in molecules where the participating atoms have similar electronegativities. This type of bond forms between nonmetals, such as carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, and hydrogen, more commonly than between metals.
The sharing of electrons in a covalent bond occurs in order to achieve a stable electron configuration, following the octet rule. In this rule, atoms strive to achieve a full outer electron shell with eight electrons, similar to the noble gases. By sharing electrons, atoms are able to fill their outer shell and attain stability.
Covalent bonds can either be polar or nonpolar, depending on the difference in electronegativity between the atoms. In a polar covalent bond, the electrons are not shared equally, resulting in a partial positive charge on one side and a partial negative charge on the other. On the other hand, nonpolar covalent bonds involve an equal sharing of electrons, creating a balanced distribution of charge throughout the molecule.
Covalent bonds are crucial in the formation of organic molecules, inorganic compounds, and many biological molecules. They contribute to the overall stability and structural integrity of substances and determine their chemical properties. The strength of a covalent bond depends on factors such as the number of shared electrons and the distance between the participating atoms.
Common Misspellings for COVALENT BOND
- xovalent bond
- vovalent bond
- fovalent bond
- dovalent bond
- civalent bond
- ckvalent bond
- clvalent bond
- cpvalent bond
- c0valent bond
- c9valent bond
- cocalent bond
- cobalent bond
- cogalent bond
- cofalent bond
- covzlent bond
- covslent bond
- covwlent bond
- covqlent bond
- covakent bond
Etymology of COVALENT BOND
The term "covalent bond" was coined in the early 20th century by the American chemist Gilbert N. Lewis. The word "covalent" comes from the Latin words "co" meaning "together" and "valere" meaning "to be strong". Thus, "covalent bond" can be understood as a strong bond that holds atoms together by sharing electrons.
