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When atoms form chemical bonds which of their electrons are involved in the bonds?
Wiki User
∙ 12y ago
The following is an answer for US 9th / 10th grade students or UK GCSE students. Advanced chemistry students will understand that there are some errors in the description but they are of no significance for students studying basic chemistry. So with apologies to the purists...
All atoms have electrons that orbit the nucleus. The electrons orbit in layers with two electrons in the first orbit, 8 in the next orbit, 8 in the third orbit and so on. Different elements have different numbers of protons in the nucleus and they normally have the same number of electrons orbiting the nucleus.
Ionic bonds
Let's take Sodium as one example. It has 11 protons which means it also has 11 electrons. The electrons are arranged with 2 in the lowest orbit, 8 in the next orbit and finally, one left over which is in the third orbit.
Another example is Chlorine. Chlorine has 17 protons and 17 electrons. These electrons are arranged with 2 in the lowest orbit, 8 in the next orbit and then 7 in the third orbit. The third orbit has just one space left for another electron.
Atoms are very happy when they have their electron orbits completely filled. Sodium has one electron in an orbit and the atom doesn't like it much. Likewise, the Chlorine atom has a hole in the third orbit and it's not keen on having a hole. So, the Sodium atom wants to get rid of its spare electron and the Chlorine really wants to find a spare electron to fill the hole. When the two atoms are brought together, the spare atom belonging to the Sodium atom finds its way to the hole in the Chlorine atom's electron orbit. Now both atoms have filled electron orbits and they are both happy, as long as they stay close to each other.
That's the way an ionic bond works, with one atom giving up one or more electrons and another atom collecting one or more electrons. It is this need to stay close to each other that gives ionic bonds their strength.
Covalent bondsCovalent bonds normally happen when both atoms have a few electrons in their outer electron orbits. The atoms still want to have their electron orbits filled but neither of them have the right number of electrons to be able to give or take the way ionic bonds do. The two atoms will share their electrons between each other. In this way, one atom can fill its electron orbit with a few electrons shared from the other atom. Likewise, the second atom can share a few electrons from the first atom. Each atom feels like it has filled electron orbits so they are now happy atoms. All the atoms have to do is to stay together so they can keep sharing their atoms. Covalent bonds are strong but because the atoms aren't attracted to each other as much as ionic bonds, covalent bonds are often not as strong as ionic.Wiki User
∙ 13y ago
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What part of that atom is involved in bonding?
The outer or valence electrons are the ones involved in bonding.Valence electrons
Which subatomic particle is involved in chemical bonds?
Electrons are either transferred between atoms to form ionic bonds or shared between atoms to form covalent bonds. Either way, bonds are formed through electrons.
Is chemical energy associated with moving electrons?
Well, as it is not possible for electrons to be stationary one could answer yes, but that isn't really correct. Chemical energy is associated with the chemical bonds that hold atoms together in molecules. Chemical bonds are produced by the valence electrons of atoms.
Name two events involving electrons that can result in the formation of chemical bond?
Ionic bonding involves the transfer of electrons between atoms; covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms.
What forms chemical bonds among atoms?
Chemical bonds form between atoms through the interaction of opposite charges. This process can occur between electrons and nuclei or as a dipole attraction.
When atoms form chemical bonds which of these electrons are involved in the bonds?
the valence electrons take place i.e, the electrons present on outermost shell.
How do atoms interact and create chemical bonds?
Chemical bonds are formed by the sharing or donating of electrons. The electrons that atoms use to make chemical bonds are the outermost electrons, also known as valence electrons.
What part of that atom is involved in bonding?
The outer or valence electrons are the ones involved in bonding.Valence electrons
When atoms transfer or share electrons they form a chemical?
Chemical Bonds
Which subatomic particle is involved in chemical bonds?
Electrons are either transferred between atoms to form ionic bonds or shared between atoms to form covalent bonds. Either way, bonds are formed through electrons.
What particles play roles in creating chemical bonds?
Electrons are the particles involved in chemical bonds.
What chemical family do atoms tend to share electrons in chemical bonds?
boron
What part of in atoms is involved in bonding?
Atoms form bonds by sharing the outer electrons.
When atoms combine by the sharing of electrons a what is produced?
Chemical bonds are formed by sharing of atoms.
Is chemical energy associated with moving electrons?
Well, as it is not possible for electrons to be stationary one could answer yes, but that isn't really correct. Chemical energy is associated with the chemical bonds that hold atoms together in molecules. Chemical bonds are produced by the valence electrons of atoms.
What electrons enable chemical bonds to form amongst atoms?
valence
Are atoms chemically held together?
Chemical bonds are what hold together the atoms of a compound. The chemical bonds are formed as a result of the interaction of the electrons from each atom.
