How and why we're shared
To minimize repulsion
And form the octet
Why are covalent bonds formed, you may ask? Since atoms aim to have the electron configuration like those of the most stable noble gases, said atoms must attain eight valence electrons (except for hydrogen, which only needs two). By sharing electrons with other atoms (in other words, forming a covalent bond), the atoms can make their orbitals overlap so as to have the eight valence electrons. The minimization of repulsion is evident in the different molecular geometries that covalent compounds emulate. For example, in a tetrahedral form (4 bonded pairs, no lone pairs [on the central atom]), the bonded atoms each move 109.5ยบ away from another, ensuring the least amount of repulsion from the electrons possible. In essence, this haiku states two of the main principles of behavior that are followed by electrons when a covalent compound is formed.
No comments:
Post a Comment