Problem 58 Why does the sharing of two elec... [FREE SOLUTION]

Chapter 5: Problem 58

Why does the sharing of two electrons between two atoms bond the atoms to each other?

Short Answer

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The sharing of two electrons between two atoms forms a covalent bond, bonding the atoms together and creating a molecule. This shared electron pair effectively 'fills' the valence shell of both atoms, satisfying the octet rule and giving each atom greater stability in its electron configuration. This electron sharing also generates an attractive force, which strengthens and stabilizes the bond between the atoms, making it difficult for other atoms or molecules to separate them.

Step by step solution

Recall Atomic Structure and Electron Configurations

Atoms consist of a nucleus, which contains protons and neutrons, and electrons that orbit the nucleus in various energy levels. The arrangement of electrons in these energy levels determines the chemical behavior of an atom. The electrons in the outermost shell, also known as the valence shell, are called valence electrons. These valence electrons are the electrons that participate in chemical reactions and determine an atom's tendency to share, gain, or lose electrons.

Understand Atomic Stability and the Octet Rule

Atoms seek to achieve greater stability by having a complete valence shell, typically consisting of eight electrons (except for hydrogen and helium, which require only two electrons). This is known as the octet rule. Atoms can attain a full valence shell by either losing, gaining, or sharing electrons with other atoms. This process involves the formation of chemical bonds such as ionic bonds and covalent bonds.

Define Covalent Bonds

Covalent bonds are chemical bonds that involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. In a covalent bond, two atoms come close enough to each other so that their valence electron orbitals overlap. This allows the valence electrons to be shared between the atoms, resulting in a more stable electron configuration for both atoms. Molecules are formed through one or more covalent bonds between atoms.

Explain the Role of Shared Electrons in Covalent Bonds

The sharing of two electrons between two atoms links the atoms together and effectively 'fills' the valence shell of both atoms. As a result, both atoms achieve greater stability in their electron configurations, satisfying the octet rule. This sharing of electrons also creates an attractive force known as a covalent bond between the two atoms, bonding them together and forming a molecule. The shared electrons effectively 'belong' to both atoms, making it difficult for other atoms or molecules to separate the bonded atoms and break the molecule apart, thus giving the bond its strength and stability.

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Key Concepts

These are the key concepts you need to understand to accurately answer the question.

Atomic Structure

Atoms are the basic building blocks of all matter. Each atom consists of a central nucleus containing protons and neutrons. Surrounding this nucleus are electrons, which move around in regions called electron shells or energy levels.
The way these electrons are arranged around the nucleus is crucial in determining the atom's chemical properties and behavior.

The nucleus is positively charged due to protons, while electrons carry a negative charge.
The balance between protons and electrons keeps an atom electrically neutral.
Electrons fill various energy levels, starting from the one closest to the nucleus.

This arrangement of electrons, especially in the outermost shell, helps define the atom's reactivity and how it bonds with other atoms.

Valence Electrons

The outermost electron shell of an atom is called the valence shell, and the electrons in this shell are termed valence electrons. These electrons are pivotal in chemical bonding because they can be shared, gained, or lost to form bonds with other atoms.
Valence electrons determine how an element behaves in a chemical reaction.

Atoms with a full outer shell are generally inert, like the noble gases.
Elements in the same group of the periodic table usually have the same number of valence electrons, leading to similar chemical properties.
The number of valence electrons affects an atom's ability to form bonds. For example, carbon has four valence electrons, allowing it to form four covalent bonds to satisfy the octet rule.

Octet Rule

Many atoms aim for a stable configuration similar to that of the noble gases, which have complete outer electron shells. This tendency is described by the octet rule, which states that atoms are most stable when their valence shell contains eight electrons.
The octet rule is a guiding principle for understanding how atoms achieve stability through chemical bonding.

Atoms will lose, gain, or share electrons to achieve a full set of eight valence electrons.
This pursuit of an "octet" often drives the formation of covalent bonds, where atoms share electrons to fill their valence shells.
While the octet rule is a helpful guideline, it does have exceptions, particularly for elements with fewer than eight electrons needed for a full shell like hydrogen and helium.

Chemical Stability

Chemical stability refers to the tendency of an atom or a compound to resist change or lack reactivity. Atoms seek stability by achieving the most balanced and lower energy state possible, often through forming chemical bonds.
Covalent bonding is one way atoms achieve this coveted stability.

Atoms sharing electrons through covalent bonds create more stable configurations by filling their valence shells.
This shared arrangement helps satisfy the octet rule for each involved atom, except those like hydrogen which follow a duet rule.
Stable molecules, once formed, are less likely to react further without the introduction of energy or another reactive species.

In essence, chemical stability is the ability of a molecule to remain intact and unaltered by outside molecular forces, resulting in a less reactive state compared to individual atoms.

91影视

Why does the sharing of two electrons between two atoms bond the atoms to each other?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Recall Atomic Structure and Electron Configurations

Understand Atomic Stability and the Octet Rule

Define Covalent Bonds

Explain the Role of Shared Electrons in Covalent Bonds

Key Concepts

Atomic Structure

Valence Electrons

Octet Rule

Chemical Stability

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