Chapter 18.1, Problem 5R

To determine

To describe: why a chemical bonding occurs.

To explain: how bonds can form with two examples.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

An atom loses or gain or share electrons and they are combined to form a compound. This type of attraction is said to be a chemical bond.

An atom can lose or gain or share an electron and are combined to form a compound. Atoms can lose or gain electrons to get stability. Chemical bonds are formed when electrons are shared, gained, or lost between atoms.

Example of how bonds form:

Gaining and share of electrons: formation of NaCl.

The atomic number of sodium is 11. So its electronic configuration is 2.8.1.

The atomic number of chlorine is 17, so the electronic configuration of chlorine is 2.8.7.

Sodium loses its outer shell electrons and form ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ and attains the stability. Chlorine gains 1 electron and form ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ . Thus, there is an attraction between oppositely charged ions ${\text{Na}}^{+}$ ,and ${\text{Cl}}^{-}$ , thus form the compound NaCl.

Sharing of electrons: formation of ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ .

The atomic number of oxygen is 8.

Its electronic configurations will be 2.6.

The atomic number of H is 1.

So its electronic configuration is 1.

Therefore, oxygen needs 2 electrons to complete its outermost shell and attains stability. Hydrogen needs 1 electron to complete its outermost shell. As there are 2 hydrogen and each hydrogen atom needs 1 electron and thus form ${\text{H}}^{\text{+}}$ . Again, oxygen gains 2 electrons and form ${\text{O}}^{\text{2-}}$ . Thus in this way, ${\text{H}}_{\text{2}}\text{O}$ is formed.

Conclusion:

Thus, a chemical bond is very important for the formation of different compounds either ionic or covalent bonds.