covalent bonding

• the bond length is the distance between the nuclei of the two atoms covalently bonded together
• The shorter the bond length the stronger the bond

  • this is due to increase in electrostatic attraction between the two nuclei and the electrons overlapping in the atomic orbitals
• a sigma bond can be the overlap of the end of s-orbitals or p-orbitals making a venn diagram shape
• the sideways overlap of the p-orbitals is a pi bond (two infinity signs standing vertically)
• the formation a sigma bond leads to the formation of a single covalent bond
• pi bonds:

  • cannot be formed unless a sigma bond has already been formed
  • pi bonds only exist between atoms that are joined by double or triple bonds
• an s-orbital and a p-orbital can also overlap and create a bond:

  • can only happen between atoms of two different elements
  • leads to the formation of a polar covalent bond
• what is a covalent bond?

  a strong electrostatic attraction between two nuclei and the shared pair of electrons