Covalently is spelled kəʊveɪləntli. The word is used to describe a type of chemical bond between two atoms in which they share electrons. The spelling of covalently can be broken down into its phonetic transcription to understand how to pronounce it. The stressed syllable is pronounced "veɪl". The "o" in the first syllable is pronounced as in "low" and the "e" at the end of the word is pronounced as in "me". By understanding its phonetic transcription, one can accurately spell and pronounce covalently.
Covalently, derived from the term "covalent," is an adverb that describes the manner in which chemical bonds are formed between atoms within a molecule. It refers to a type of bonding where two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to achieve a stable configuration. This occurs when atoms have an unfulfilled valence electron shell, and by sharing electrons, they can complete their respective electron arrangements.
Covalent bonding typically occurs between nonmetal atoms or a combination of nonmetal and metalloid elements. The shared electron pairs are commonly represented as lines or dashes in molecular diagrams, indicating the strength and number of covalent bonds between atoms. The shared electrons are attracted to the positively charged nuclei of both atoms, creating a mutual pull that keeps the atoms together and forms a molecule.
Covalent bonds can vary in strength, ranging from very strong bonds in molecules such as diamond or the DNA double helix, to weaker bonds in certain organic compounds. This type of bond plays a fundamental role in the formation and stability of numerous chemical compounds, including organic molecules, inorganic compounds, and biological structures.
In summary, covalently refers to the manner in which atoms share electrons to form chemical bonds within a molecule. It describes the nature of the bond between atoms when they mutually share electrons, leading to the creation of stable molecules.
The word "covalently" is derived from the noun "covalent", which in turn comes from the prefix "co-" meaning "together" and the adjective "valent" derived from the Latin word "valens", meaning "strong" or "effective". Therefore, "covalent" signifies a strong bond formed when atoms share electrons together. By adding the suffix "-ly", we form the adverb "covalently", which is commonly used to describe the manner in which chemical bonds are formed in covalent compounds.