Covalently meaning

Covalently means a chemical bond that involves the sharing of electrons between atoms.


Covalently definitions

Word backwards yltnelavoc
Part of speech The word "covalently" is an adverb.
Syllabic division co-val-ent-ly
Plural The plural of the word "covalently" is "covalent bonds."
Total letters 10
Vogais (3) o,a,e
Consonants (6) c,v,l,n,t,y

Understanding Covalently

Definition of Covalently

Covalently refers to the type of chemical bonding that occurs when two atoms share electrons. In a covalent bond, the atoms involved equally share one or more pairs of electrons in order to achieve a more stable electron configuration.

Characteristics of Covalently

Covalent bonds are typically formed between nonmetal elements on the periodic table. These bonds are strong, as the shared electrons hold the atoms together. Covalently bonded molecules can exist as discrete molecules or as part of a larger network structure, depending on the arrangement of atoms.

Types of Covalent Bonds

There are two main types of covalent bonds: polar covalent bonds and nonpolar covalent bonds. Polar covalent bonds occur when the atoms have different electronegativities, leading to an uneven distribution of electron density. Nonpolar covalent bonds occur when the atoms have similar electronegativities, resulting in an equal sharing of electrons.

Examples of Covalently

Water is a common example of a molecule with covalent bonds. In a water molecule, each hydrogen atom shares a pair of electrons with the oxygen atom, forming two polar covalent bonds. Another example is methane, where each hydrogen atom shares electrons with the carbon atom to form nonpolar covalent bonds.

Properties of Covalently

Covalent compounds generally have lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds. They are often insoluble in water but can dissolve in other nonpolar solvents. Covalently bonded molecules can exhibit a wide range of physical and chemical properties based on their molecular structure.

Importance of Covalently

Covalent bonds play a crucial role in the formation of organic compounds, which are essential for life. They are also important in the production of various materials, such as plastics, fibers, and pharmaceuticals. Understanding covalent bonding is fundamental in many fields of science, including chemistry, biology, and materials science.


Covalently Examples

  1. Carbon and oxygen atoms are covalently bonded in carbon dioxide.
  2. The two hydrogen atoms in a water molecule are covalently bonded to the oxygen atom.
  3. In a diamond crystal structure, carbon atoms are covalently bonded together in a tetrahedral arrangement.
  4. Nitrogen atoms are covalently bonded in various nitrogen-containing organic molecules.
  5. The peptide bonds in proteins are covalent bonds that link amino acids together.
  6. Covalent bonds play a crucial role in determining the structure and properties of polymers.
  7. In DNA molecules, the backbone is formed by covalent bonds between phosphate groups and sugar molecules.
  8. Silicon and oxygen atoms are covalently bonded in the structure of quartz.
  9. Chlorine atoms are covalently bonded in molecules like chlorine gas (Cl2).
  10. Covalent bonds are generally stronger than non-covalent bonds like hydrogen bonds or van der Waals interactions.


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  • Updated 04/07/2024 - 22:58:31