Covalent and Ionic Bonding, Structure and Properties
Connect electron sharing or transfer to covalent and ionic bonding, then explain shape, melting, solubility and electrical behaviour from structure.
How to study National 5 Chemistry
Move between particle explanations, formulae, calculations, experimental evidence and justified conclusions, while using official materials for exact written-paper and assignment practice.
Core concepts
Concept 1
A covalent bond is the attraction of two positive nuclei for a shared pair of electrons; simple molecules can be linear, angular, trigonal pyramidal or tetrahedral.
Exam cue: Identify the particles and the force that must be overcome before explaining a property.
Concept 2
Covalent molecular and giant network substances differ because changing state in a molecular substance overcomes weak attractions between molecules, while a network contains strong covalent bonds throughout.
Exam cue: For conductivity, ask whether charged particles exist and whether they can move.
Concept 3
Ionic compounds contain oppositely charged ions in a lattice and conduct only when ions are free to move in a melt or solution.
Exam cue: Keep bonds within molecules separate from attractions between molecules.
Risk pitfalls and guardrails
Saying covalent bonds are weak because a molecular substance has a low boiling point.
Guardrail: Check formulae, charges, units, state or experimental conditions before committing to the final conclusion.
Explaining solid ionic non-conduction by saying that ions have no charge.
Guardrail: Check formulae, charges, units, state or experimental conditions before committing to the final conclusion.
Treating every covalent substance as a discrete molecule.
Guardrail: Check formulae, charges, units, state or experimental conditions before committing to the final conclusion.
Memory anchors
Covalent bond
A shared electron pair is attracted by both positive nuclei.
Diatomic elements
H₂, N₂, O₂, F₂, Cl₂, Br₂ and I₂ exist as diatomic molecules.
Molecular substance
Strong bonds act within each molecule, with weaker attractions between molecules.
Covalent network
A giant network has strong covalent bonds extending through the structure.
Ionic bond
An ionic bond is electrostatic attraction between positive and negative ions.
Ionic conductivity
An ionic compound conducts when molten or dissolved because its ions can move.
Checkpoint rule
Do the check-up only after you can summarize each concept in one sentence and identify one dangerous pitfall from memory.
Knowledge Check (after reading)
Short check-up to confirm understanding of this module.
Check-up Questions
Which description best defines a covalent bond?
Between which types of atom does covalent bonding normally form?
Answer all questions to submit.
Next step personalized recommendations
Continue learning
Move forward only after this module is stable.
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