Question

Covalent bonds are formed in order to:

Answer 1

Covalent bonds form when nonmetal atoms join by sharing valence electrons to achieve more stable electronic configurations, usually resembling the octet rule. This sharing can result in single, double, or triple bonds, with Lewis electron dot diagrams illustrating the distribution of electrons in the molecule.

Step-by-step explanation:

Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons. This sharing is essential to fill each atom's outer or valence electron shell, leading to a more stable electronic configuration. For many nonmetals, achieving a full valence shell often resembles the electron configuration of the nearest noble gas, often referred to as the octet rule. Furthermore, the shared electrons are attracted to both nuclei involved in the bond, effectively holding the two atoms together.

The number of shared electron pairs can vary, leading to single, double, or triple bonds. Lewis electron dot diagrams are commonly used to represent these bonds pictorially, where shared pairs of electrons are depicted as lines between atomic symbols. These diagrams are valuable tools in visualizing the distribution of electrons and the types of bonds within a molecule. In some molecules, such as oxygen (O₂), a double bond is necessary to ensure that both atoms achieve the octet configuration. In water (H₂O), each hydrogen atom shares one electron with oxygen, forming two single bonds which give oxygen a total of eight valence electrons.

Answer 2

Covalent bonding occurs when pairs of electrons are shared by atoms. Atoms will covalently bond with other atoms in order to gain more stability, which is gained by forming a full electron shell. By sharing their outer most (valence) electrons, atoms can fill up their outer electron shell and gain stability.