a particle consisting of a fixed number of (two or more) non-metal atoms covalently bonded together

the strong electrostatic force of attraction between  a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of bonded atoms

the weak forces of attraction between molecules and molecular substances

a substance that has a large regular arrangement of atoms all joined together by covalent bonds

a long chain molecule formed by joining small molecules (monomers) together by covalent bonds

Properties of covalent substances

Combined science

In the Chemistry of Carbon unit, pupils will build on their understanding of chemical bonding to explore the unique properties and bonding of carbon, leading to various natural and synthetic organic compounds.

In the Atomic Structure and the Periodic Table unit, pupils learned about the model of the atom, isotopes, and the arrangement of elements in the periodic table.

This unit explores changes of state, particle kinetics, and energy transfers in relation to chemical bonding, including ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds. It examines carbon's unique bonding properties, leading to organic compounds and materials like diamond, graphite, fullerenes, and graphene.

Structure and bonding

What is the typical size of atomic radii and bond lengths?

Why can't simple covalent substances conduct electricity?

Giant covalent structures have high melting and boiling points because strong {{}} need to be broken, which requires a lot of energy.

Most polymers exist in the arrangement of the solid state at room temperature.

Some polymers are made up of smaller molecules called monomers.

They have a simple covalent structure (molecules).

They are held together by covalent bonds.

Which of the following are true of polymers?

What happens during a change of state in simple covalent substances?

What type of bond typically forms between two non-metal atoms?

How many pairs of electrons are shared between two carbon atoms in ethene (shown in the diagram)?

Which of the following is an example of a molecule formed by covalent bonding?

How many electrons are shared in a single covalent bond?

A displayed formula represents a covalent substance, showing {{}} to represent shared pairs of electrons between atoms.

Arrange the following molecules by the number of covalent bonds each has, from least to most:

Starter Quiz