Oxygen forms what kind of bonds

A molecule or compound is made when two or more atoms form a chemical bond that links them together. As we have seen, there are two types of bonds: ionic bonds and covalent bonds. In an ionic bond, the atoms are bound together by the electrostatic forces in the attraction between ions of opposite charge. Ionic bonds usually occur between metal and nonmetal ions. For example, sodium Na , a metal, and chloride Cl , a nonmetal, form an ionic bond to make NaCl.

In a covalent bond, the atoms bond by sharing electrons. Covalent bonds usually occur between nonmetals. For example, in water H 2 O each hydrogen H and oxygen O share a pair of electrons to make a molecule of two hydrogen atoms single bonded to a single oxygen atom. In general, ionic bonds occur between elements that are far apart on the periodic table.

Covalent bonds occur between elements that are close together on the periodic table. Ionic compounds tend to be brittle in their solid form and have very high melting temperatures. Covalent compounds tend to be soft, and have relatively low melting and boiling points.

Water, a liquid composed of covalently bonded molecules, can also be used as a test substance for other ionic and covalently compounds. Ionic compounds tend to dissolve in water e. Properties of ionic and covalent compounds are listed in Table 2. The properties listed in Table 2. Like other ionic compounds, sodium chloride Fig.

Chlorine gas Fig. Ionic and covalent compounds also differ in what happens when they are placed in water, a common solvent.

For example, when a crystal of sodium chloride is put into water, it may seem as though the crystal simply disappears. Three things are actually happening. Ionic compounds like sodium chloride dissolve, dissociate, and diffuse. Covalent compounds, like sugar and food coloring, can dissolve and diffuse, but they do not dissociate. Without stirring, the food coloring will mix into the water through only the movement of the water and food coloring molecules. As water evaporates, the salt solution becomes more and more concentrated.

Eventually, there is not enough water left to keep the sodium and chloride ions from interacting and joining together, so salt crystals form. This occurs naturally in places like salt evaporation ponds Fig.

The carbon forms four single bonds to the hydrogen atoms, so all the atoms now have a full outer shell of electrons. The shape formed is called tetrahedral. Nitrogen atoms have five outer electrons so needs three more for a full outer shell. Nitrogen forms three single covalent bonds to hydrogen atoms. The shape formed is called trigonal pyramidal.

Oxygen atoms have six outer electrons so need two more for a full outer shell. The oxygen forms two single covalent bonds with the two hydrogen atoms. The shape formed is called angular. More than one bond can be formed between atoms leading to double and triple bonds. Examples of these are diatomic oxygen double bond or nitrogen triple bond. This could also be written as:.

Think of connecting the lone dots to form bonds between each O atom. Each O atom needs to bond twice. So the pair of O atoms form two bonds with each other. The two bonds appear as the two parallel lines between the O atoms. This is called a double bond. Each bond is a pair of electrons, one from each connected O atom. How does chemical bonding affect solubility?

Which of the forces of molecular attraction is the weakest: hydrogen bond, dipole interaction, How do chemical bonds affect the properties of a substance?

How do chemical bonds affect metabolism? See all questions in Bonding. Impact of this question views around the world.