Molecular Compounds and Covalent Bonding
A molecular compound is formed between non-metal atoms
Since non-metals (found on right side of periodic table) need
electrons to become stable, two or more atoms will share its
valence electrons to have a full outer shell.
A shared pair of valence electrons is called a covalent bond.
No transfer of electrons occurs between atoms but rather the
sharing.
No ions (charged atoms) are formed.
Diatomic gases - elements in which two atoms of the same
element form a molecule H O Br F I N Cl
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
Example 1:
Example 2:
hydrogen gas (H2)
methane gas (CH4)
Example 3: fluorine gas (F2)