Introduction to Bonding Activity
Name _______________________________________Period_____Date_____________
Objective: Students will understand the different types of chemical bonds and the
role that valence electrons play in bonding.
Materials:
 Atom Packets
 50 brads
Procedures:
Part A:
1. Get out all of the atoms in the packet. Match the symbol found on the atoms
with the name on the data table. Write the symbol in the data table.
2. Using your periodic table.
 Write down how many total electrons each atom has.
 Write down if the atom is a metal or nonmetal.
3. Place the argon, neon, and helium atoms on your desk. Using the brads to
represent electrons, Put the appropriate number of electrons in each atom.
4. Looking at these atoms you just filled with electrons, determine how many
valence electrons each atom has. Record the number on your data table.
5. Now determine how many electrons the atom needs to get a full valence shell.
Record the number on your data table.
 The octet rule states an atom need 8 electrons in its valence shell. This
is true for every element except helium and hydrogen. They follow the
duet rule that states an atom needs 2 electrons in its valence shell.
6. Write on your data table if the atom will gain or lose electrons to get a full
valence shell.
7. Write down the ionic charge that will result when the atom loses or gains the
electrons.
8. Take out the brads, return the atoms to the packet, and go on to Part B.
Part B:
1. Place the chlorine, hydrogen, oxygen, sulfur, and fluorine atoms on your desk.
Using the brads to represent electrons, Put the appropriate number of electrons
in each atom.
2. Looking at these atoms you just filled with electrons, determine how many
valence electrons each atom has. Record the number on your data table.
3. Now determine how many electrons the atom needs to get a full valence shell.
Record the number on your data table.
 The octet rule states an atom need 8 electrons in its valence shell. This
is true for every element except helium and hydrogen. They follow the
duet rule that states an atom needs 2 electrons in its valence shell.
4. Write on your data table if the atom will gain or lose electrons to get a full
valence shell.
5. Write down the ionic charge that will result when an atom loses or gains the
electrons.
6. Repeat steps 1-5 of Part B for magnesium, sodium, lithium, and beryllium.
7. Form the compounds listed below:
 You will have to do this one at a time because you will not have enough
brads to do all the compounds at once. First you must determine if it is
a metal and a nonmetal bonding or a nonmetal and a nonmetal bonding.
 If it is a metal and a nonmetal bonding then electrons will be
moving from one atom to the other.
Introduction to Bonding Activity
 Move the appropriate number of electrons (brads) from one
element to another.
 Put the proper charge stickers on the atoms to show the
charges of the ions .
 If it is a nonmetal and a nonmetal bonding then electrons will be
shared among the two atoms.
 Bond the two atoms by sharing the appropriate number of
electrons (brads).
 After you have made the compound, diagram the compound.
 Circle any electrons that are shared in your drawing.
 Put a triangle around the electrons that moved from one atom to
another. Make sure to include the charge of each ion in your
diagram.
 Write whether it is a metal and a nonmetal bonding or a metal and
a metal bonding.
 Write the formula of the compound below each diagram and write
whether it is an ionic or covalent bond.
Compounds:
 Magnesium and Sulfur
 Chlorine and Chlorine
 Hydrogen and Hydrogen
 Sodium and Chlorine
 Fluorine and Fluorine
 Lithium and Fluorine
 Chlorine and Hydrogen
 Beryllium and Oxygen
Data Table:
Atoms
Argon
Neon
Helium
Chlorine
Hydrogen
Fluorine
Chlorine
Magnesium
Sodium
Lithium
Beryllium
Oxygen
Sulfur
Symbols
# of
Electrons
# of
Valence
Electrons
# of valence
Electrons
needed to
have a full
valence shell.
Gain or
Lose
Electrons
Ionic
Charge
Metal or
nonmetal