AQA · Chemistry · 8462
GCSE Chemistry: Covalent bonding
Bonding, structure, and the properties of matter · AQA GCSE Chemistry (8462), specification point 4.2.1.4. Cards are generated from the exam board's own specification for "Covalent bonding", and every card links back to the page it came from. Specification © AQA — used with attribution.
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How is a covalent bond formed between atoms?
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By atoms sharing a pair of electrons.
Covalent bonds between atoms are ?.
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strong
Name the three structure types covalently bonded substances can form.
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Small molecules, very large molecules (polymers), and giant covalent structures.
Give two examples of giant covalent structures.
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Diamond and silicon dioxide.
Covalently bonded substances with very large molecules are called ?.
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polymers
In the polymer formula (repeating unit)n, what does n represent?
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A large number — the number of repeating units in the polymer chain.
In a displayed formula, what does a single line between two atoms represent?
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A single covalent bond (one shared pair of electrons).
How many shared electron pairs form the bond in an oxygen molecule (O₂)?
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Two — a double covalent bond.
How many shared electron pairs form the bond in a nitrogen molecule (N₂)?
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Three — a triple covalent bond.
How many covalent bonds does a carbon atom form in methane (CH₄)?
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Four — one single bond to each hydrogen atom.
Give one limitation of a dot and cross diagram for representing a molecule.
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It does not show the 3D shape of the molecule (or the relative sizes of atoms).
Give one limitation of a ball and stick model of a molecule.
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It shows bonds as solid sticks and exaggerates the gaps between atoms; it does not show electrons or true atom sizes.
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