Covalent Bonds
Covalent bonds involve a complete sharing of electrons. It occurs most often between atoms that have partially filled outer shells. Thus, if the atoms share similar needs, then electrons will be shared.
An atom like carbon forms covalent bonds with other atoms. The electrons travel in orbits around the nuclei of the atoms involved. A carbon atom has 4 electrons in its outer shell.
An electrically neutral group of at least two atoms held together by very strong (covalent) bond is called a molecule.
- A hydrogen atom has 1 electron in its outer shell.
- The 2 carbon atoms each share their 1 electron to form one carbon <> carbon covalent bond.
- The 6 hydrogen atoms each share their 1 electron with carbon to form 6 carbon <> hydrogen covalent bonds.
ethane molecule
