Ionic and Covalent Bonds mini-lesson

Ionic and Covalent Bonds

by Jess Racine

​In Unit 1, we focused on ionic bonds

• ​ created between a positive cation and a negative anion

  • ​cations = metals

  • ​anions = nonmetals

• ​form when the valence electron(s) of a metal atom are transferred to the valence shell of a nonmetal

​In this unit, we are turning our attention to the covalent bond

• ​ Covalent bonds are formed between two nonmetal atoms

• ​In a covalent bond, electrons are not transferred, but are shared in the valence shells of two atoms

  • ​"Co" - joint, mutual, common

  • ​"-valent" - refers to the valence electron shell

• ​form between two nonmetals

• ​Electron(s) are shared

• ​Between a metal and nonmetal

• ​Electrons are transferred from a metal to a nonmetal

​Time to practice!

​Examine the chemical formulas of the substances on the next ten slides and select whether each is ionic or covalent.

Multiple Choice

sodium chloride, NaCl

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

Carbon dioxide, CO₂

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

calcium carbonate, CaCo₃

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

glucose, C₆H₁₂O₆

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

acetone, C₂H₆O

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

magnesium sulfide, MgS

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

carbon tetrachloride, CCl₄

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

tyrosine, C₉H₁₁NO₃

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

copper (II) chloride, CuCl

• Ionic

• Covalent

Multiple Choice

adenine, C₅H₅N₅

• Ionic

• Covalent