An Internet Sampler on Chemical Bonding
for High School Chemistry Students
Original work by Christy Johannesson, modified by Georgia Rutschilling
INTRODUCTION
Much like people, most atoms don't like to live solitary existences. They need to COME
TOGETHER with other atoms to lead more stable, happier lives. This process of coming
together is called chemical bonding. Through completing the following Internet Activities,
you will learn the characteristics of three types of bonding - covalent, ionic, and metallic.
Use this worksheet to record your answers to the questions below. KEEP YOUR
DESCRIPTIONS SHORT AND SIMPLE. If you need additional help in defining
chemistry related terms, use this Chemistry Dictionary.
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INTERNET ACTIVITIES
Introduction to Bonding
Introduction to Chemical Bonding
Since it seems to be blocked, here is the text of that webpage:
Section 6-1: Introduction to Chemical Bonding
"Atoms seldom exist as independent particles in nature. The oxygen you breathe, the
water that makes up most of your body, and nearly all other substances are made up of
combinations of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds. A chemical bond is
a mutual electrical attraction between the nuclei and valence electrons of different
atoms that binds the atoms together.
"Why are most atoms chemically bonded to each other? As independent particles,
they are at relatively high potential energy. Nature, however, favors arrangements in
which potential energy is minimized. This means that most atoms are less stable
existing by themselves than when they are combined. By bonding with each other,
atoms decrease in potential energy, thereby creating more stable arrangements of
matter."
Record your answers on the worksheet.
1. What is a chemical bond?
2. Why do most atoms form chemical bonds?
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Ionic Bonding
Chemical Bonding
Ionic Bonds
Ionic Bonding
Chemical Bonding 2
Use the Bonding Comparison Chart to summarize your answers.
1. What types of atoms typically form ionic bonds?
2. How are ionic bonds formed and what type of structure do they create?
3. What are the typical properties of ionic substances? Include the following: physical
state, melting point, solubility in water, electrical conductivity, and any other
properties you'd like to include.
4. Insert an image into the chart that you feel best represents ionic bonding. Resize the
image to make it small enough to fit.
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Covalent Bonding
Chemical Bonding
Molecular Structures - Physical Properties (Note: "molecular" = "covalent")
Use the Bonding Comparison Chart to summarize your answers.
1. What types of atoms typically form covalent bonds?
2. How are covalent bonds formed and what type of structure do they create?
3. What are the typical properties of covalent substances? Include the following:
physical state, melting point, solubility in water, electrical conductivity, and any
other properties you'd like to include.
4. Insert an image into the chart that you feel best represents covalent bonding. Resize
the image to make it small enough to fit. Be sure to cite your source.
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Metallic Bonding
Chemical Bonding
Metallic Bonds
Metallic Bonding
Use the Bonding Comparison Chart to summarize your answers.
1. What types of atoms typically form metallic bonds?
2. How are metallic bonds formed and what type of structure do they create?
3. What are the typical properties of metallic substances? Include the following:
physical state, melting point, solubility in water, electrical conductivity, and any
other properties you'd like to include.
4. Insert an image into the chart that you feel best represents metallic bonding. Resize
the image to make it small enough to fit.
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CONCLUSION
You have had the opportunity to explore the key aspects of ionic, covalent, and metallic
bonding. Now, let's put your newfound knowledge to use!
1. Use your Come Together Worksheet to complete the online quiz posted on Edline
If your score is lower than 80%, you need to review the topics you missed.

STORY - Choose one type of bonding and write “A Day in the Life of an Atom”
story describing what it's like to be an atom that forms your chosen bond type. The
story should incorporate at least 5 properties from your Bonding Comparison
Chart. The following rubric will be used to assess your story
Story Writing : Chemical Bonding - Come Together Product
CATEGORY
Title
Title is creative,
sparks interest and
is related to the
story and topic.
Title is related to
Title is present, but
the story and topic. does not appear to
be related to the
story and topic.
No title.
Introduction
First paragraph has
a "grabber" or
catchy beginning.
First paragraph has
a weak "grabber".
A catchy beginning
was attempted but
was confusing
rather than catchy.
No attempt was
made to catch the
reader's attention
in the first
paragraph.
Accuracy of Facts
All facts presented
in the story are
accurate.
Almost all facts
presented in the
story are accurate.
Most facts
presented in the
story are accurate
(at least 70%).
There are several
factual errors in
the story.
Creativity
The story contains
many creative
details and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the
reader\'s
enjoyment. The
author has really
used his
imagination.
The entire story is
related to the
assigned topic and
allows the reader
to understand
much more about
the topic.
The story contains
a few creative
details and/or
descriptions that
contribute to the
reader\'s
enjoyment. The
author has used his
imagination.
The story contains
a few creative
details and/or
descriptions, but
they distract from
the story. The
author has tried to
use his
imagination.
There is little
evidence of
creativity in the
story. The author
does not seem to
have used much
imagination.
Most of the story is
related to the
assigned topic. The
story wanders off
at one point, but
the reader can still
learn something
about the topic.
Almost all (about
90%) the written
requirements were
met.
Some of the story
is related to the
assigned topic, but
a reader does not
learn much about
the topic.
No attempt has
been made to
relate the story to
the assigned topic.
Most (about 75%)
of the written
requirements were
met, but several
were not.
Many
requirements were
not met.
There is 1
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
There are 2 to 3
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
There are more
than 3
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
Focus on Assigned
Topic
Requirements
Grammar. Spelling,
Punctuation.
All of the written
requirements (at
least 5 properties
from Bonding
Comparison Chart)
were met.
There are no
grammatical,
spelling or
punctuation errors.
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Credits:
Title Image: logo-1.gif. [Online Image] Available http://www.cometogether1.com, 6/4/02
Bonding Images: ColvanttoIonic.jpg. [Online Image] Available http://www.chemistry.ohio-
state.edu/~grandinetti/ teaching/Chem121/lectures/Electronegativity/ENBondPolarity.html,
8/1/02
Background Image: lbg045.gif. [Online Image] Available http://www.bellsnwhistles.com, 6/4/02
Music: cometoge.wav. [Online Sound] Available http://www.kappa.ro/music/paudi.html, 6/5/02
Modern Chemistry Logo: H03MCHEM.JPG. [Online Image] Available http://go.hrw.com,
7/29/02
Copyright 2002. Northside Independent School District. All rights reserved.