Chemical Bonding

Here starts the tedious introduction blog of the last unit we will do this year.  Many things that are mentioned here will come up later so if you don't understand this one....take the time to figure it out.

Electrostatic Force

Is a force existing as a result of the attraction or repulsion (two positive or two negative particles repel each other but one of each attract each other) between two charged particles.  It is a important to remember all bonds are based on the electrostatic relationships formed between particles.  When these particles are farther from each other, the attraction is greater.  If there is more charge, then there is more force.  This lovely force that occurs acts in all directions which is why that in both theory and practice, bonds can be made on any electron in the valance shell.  

Ionic Bonds

Ionic bonds are formed between positive and negative ions (most often medal and non-medal).  In an ionic bond, the electrons are transferred from what atom to another.  If you need a good way to remember that, just look at the chemistry cat on the side of our blog.  These bonds are always made to have a closed shell.  Ionic bonds are:

• very strong
• have high boiling points
• high electronegativity
• ionization energy

After the bond, all atoms become ions.  The positive ions are called cations and the negative ions are called anions.  

Then there is the crystal lattice...

In a crystal lattice, the ions in the bonds line up so the positive side of one molecule line up with the negative side of the next.  This is what allows them to connect and make things such as table salt. 

[Non-Polar] Covalent Bonding

These bonds, unlike ionic bonds, share their electrons amongst that atoms in the molecule.  As a result of this, the electrons are stuck in the middle between the two atoms.  These bonds tend to be very strong with lower melting points.  

Individual Molecules

Individual molecules are actually quite strong.  During melting, it is not the molecules themselves breaking apart, but the different molecules breaking apart from each other.  They are held together only by the intermolecular force.  This is especially true for covalent bonds.

The next blog will have a video that will help to remember the differences between the three.  (Yes, there is one more; covalent bonds aren't always non-polar...)