Chemical bond meaning

A chemical bond is a mutual attraction between atoms that holds them together in a molecule.


Chemical bond definitions

Word backwards lacimehc dnob
Part of speech The part of speech of "chemical bond" is a noun.
Syllabic division chem-i-cal bond
Plural The plural of the word "chemical bond" is "chemical bonds."
Total letters 12
Vogais (4) e,i,a,o
Consonants (7) c,h,m,l,b,n,d

Chemical bonds are the attractive forces that hold atoms together in molecules. These bonds are formed through the sharing or transferring of electrons between atoms. Understanding the different types of chemical bonds is essential in comprehending the behavior of matter at the molecular level.

Types of Chemical Bonds

There are three primary types of chemical bonds: covalent, ionic, and metallic. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons to achieve a full outer electron shell and become more stable. An ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that are attracted to each other. In a metallic bond, electrons are free to move throughout a metal's structure, creating a "sea of electrons" that holds the positively charged metal ions together.

Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds can be classified as either polar or nonpolar, depending on the electronegativity difference between the atoms involved. In a nonpolar covalent bond, electrons are shared equally between atoms with similar electronegativities, while in a polar covalent bond, electrons are unequally shared due to differences in electronegativity.

Ionic Bonds

In an ionic bond, the electronegativity difference between atoms is so significant that one atom essentially "steals" an electron from another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges. These ions are then held together by the electrostatic force of attraction between opposite charges.

Metallic Bonds

Metallic bonds are unique in that they are not localized between two specific atoms but instead involve a "delocalized" sea of electrons that move freely throughout the metal's structure. This mobility of electrons explains many of the unique properties of metals, such as malleability, ductility, and conductivity.

Understanding the nature of chemical bonds is crucial in fields such as chemistry, biology, and materials science. By grasping how atoms interact through bonding, scientists can predict the properties of substances and develop new materials with specific characteristics.


Chemical bond Examples

  1. The chemical bond between the hydrogen and oxygen atoms in a water molecule is covalent.
  2. Ionic compounds are held together by an electrostatic chemical bond between positively and negatively charged ions.
  3. In metallic bonding, atoms share a sea of electrons that form a chemical bond between them.
  4. Hydrogen bonds are a type of weak chemical bond that occurs between hydrogen atoms and other electronegative atoms.
  5. DNA is held together by a double helix structure formed by hydrogen bonds between complementary base pairs.
  6. Polar covalent bonds result from an unequal sharing of electrons between atoms, creating a partial positive and partial negative charge.
  7. Van der Waals forces are weak intermolecular forces that contribute to the formation of chemical bonds between molecules.
  8. The strength of a chemical bond can be determined by the bond length and bond energy between atoms.
  9. In a peptide bond, the carboxyl group of one amino acid reacts with the amino group of another, forming a chemical bond.
  10. Chemical bonding plays a crucial role in determining the physical and chemical properties of substances.


Most accessed

Search the alphabet

  • #
  • Aa
  • Bb
  • Cc
  • Dd
  • Ee
  • Ff
  • Gg
  • Hh
  • Ii
  • Jj
  • Kk
  • Ll
  • Mm
  • Nn
  • Oo
  • Pp
  • Qq
  • Rr
  • Ss
  • Tt
  • Uu
  • Vv
  • Ww
  • Xx
  • Yy
  • Zz
  • Updated 30/04/2024 - 20:07:53