It's easy to spot big, complex structures in existence like fully grown people living adventurous lives in society, or stars and planets floating around in the expansive galaxy, but what about the molecular activities comprising all this wonder?
Zoom in, and let's get attached to learning all about chemical bonds!
When atoms bond together, they create molecules.
Atomic and molecular bonds are crucial processes that occur at the smallest scales in the universe, and they play a vital role in many natural phenomena and processes such as photosynthesis, respiration and metabolism.
The type and strength of bonds determine the properties of materials including their hardness, elasticity and conductivity. Some materials have malleable and ductile properties. Different bond structures will support different energy transfers such as chemical or thermal.
Atomic bonds play a significant role in many astrophysical processes also like star formation, the evolution of galaxies and gravity.
The way atoms pair can produce a great variety of chemical compounds and physics. There are covalent bonds, ionic bonds, metallic bonds and hydrogen bonds.
Covalent Bonds (examples)
- Hydrogen (H₂)
- Oxygen (O₂)
- Nitrogen (N₂)
- Water (H₂O)
- Methane (CH₄)
Ionic Bonds (examples)
- LiF - Lithium Fluoride
- LiCl - Lithium Chloride
- LiI - Lithium Iodide
- NaF - Sodium Fluoride
Metallic Bonds (examples)
- Sodium (Na)
- Magnesium (Mg)
- Aluminum (Al)
Hydrogen Bonds (examples)
- Water (H2O)
- Chloroform (CHCl3)
- Ammonia (NH3)
Critical Questions
1. What is the nature of atomic and molecular bonds?
2. How do different types of atomic and molecular bonds differ?
3. What factors affect the strength of atomic and molecular bonds?
4. How do atomic and molecular bonds influence the physical properties of substances?
5. How do scientists study atomic and molecular bonds?
6. What is "polarity" in atomic bonding?