What are covalent bonding?

Answer 1

A covalent bond is a pair of electrons shared between two atoms. When two atoms of two elements combine the two atoms need to attain a stable electron structure - where each energy level ('shell') is complete with electrons - the same structure as noble gases have. In bonding the energy level which is usually involved is the outermost level or 'valency' level. When the two atoms are very different (eg metal - with 1, 2 or 3 electrons in the outermost level and a non metal - with 5, 6 or 7 electrons in the outermost level) then the metal usually donates one or more electrons to the non-metal atom in order that they attain a full level of, usually, 8 electrons. This results in the formation of charged atoms (as they have lost or gained electrons) that are called ions and this kind of bond is called ionic. However, when the atoms are similar (eg 2 non-metals) they cannot do this as the donation or receipt of electrons would never result in a full complement for each atom. So instead the two atoms share 1 or more pairs of electrons, 1 from each atom, each bond being made of one pair of electrons. As the energy levels involved are the valency electrons, and as the two atoms 'co-operate' as it were, this kind of bond is called a covalent bond. A covalent bond is a bond between two non-metallic elements. This means that they share electrons inside the molecules. OR A type of chemical bond in which there is mutual sharing of electrons between two atoms is called covalent bond. It is further classified into single, double and triple covalent bond with respect to mutual sharing of one,two and three bonds respectively. Their symbols are single, double and triple lines between two atoms according to their type of covalent bond like one for single two for double and so on.e.g Cl--Cl The type of chemical bond in which one atom provides shared pair of electron for bond formation is called "Coordinate Covalent Bond". OR Chemical bond formed between two atoms due to sharing of electron pair in which only one atom provides shared pair of electron for the formation of bond, is known as coordinate covalent bond or dative bond. In the formation of coordinate bond other atom does not provide electron for sharing. It is one sided sharing.

Formation of coordinate covalent bond is the property of atoms that have lone pair of electrons. The atom that provides electron pair is called "Donor". The other which takes it is called "Accepter". Symbol:

Dative bond is represented by an arrow, pointing from donor atom to the accepter.

Answer 2

Covalent bonds are the sharing of pairs of electrons between uncharged atoms. When these atoms become charged, the bonds are then considered ionic bonds.

Answer 3

Covalent bonding involve sharing of electrons.