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Diamond is an example of a substance with a giant covalent structure.

Bonding - Covalent

Covalent bonding is all about sharing electrons. Explore simple molecules, giant covalent structures and polymers, and link structure to melting point, strength and conductivity.

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Fascinating Fact:

Polymers are large molecules made from many repeating units joined by covalent bonds. They can be flexible or rigid depending on the structure and side groups.

In GCSE Chemistry, covalent bonding helps you explain why many non-metals form molecules, why some substances melt easily, and why others form strong networks. You connect bonding and structure to properties like hardness, boiling point and electrical conductivity.

Key Terms

Intermolecular forces: Weak attractions between molecules that affect melting and boiling points.
Monomer: A small molecule that can join to others to form a long chain or network.
Giant covalent structure: A large repeating network of atoms held together by many covalent bonds.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is covalent bonding in GCSE Chemistry?

Covalent bonding is a strong bond formed when two non-metal atoms share a pair of electrons. The shared electrons help both atoms achieve a more stable outer shell.

Why do simple molecular substances have low melting and boiling points?

Simple molecular substances have strong covalent bonds inside each molecule, but only weak intermolecular forces between molecules. These weak forces need little energy to overcome, so melting and boiling points are often low.

Why does graphite conduct electricity but diamond does not?

Graphite conducts because each carbon atom has one electron that is delocalised and free to move along the layers. In diamond, all outer electrons are used in covalent bonds, so there are no free electrons to carry charge.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Where do the electrons for a covalent bond come from?

The nucleus

The outermost electron shell

The innermost electron shell

The electron shell with the most electrons

At GCSE level, bonding always involves the outermost electrons

2 .

Some covalent substances have huge numbers of atoms bonded together by a network of covalent bonds. This is called...

a giant covalent structure

a giant structure

a covalent giant

a covalent network

Diamond is an example of a substance with a giant covalent structure

3 .

Which of these has molecules with two atoms joined by a covalent bond?

Bromine

Copper

Neon

Methane

Bromine is described as a diatomic molecule

4 .

Covalent bonding occurs when what type of atoms join?

Metal and metal

Metal and non-metal

Non-metal and non-metal

Metal and a noble gas

A metal and a metal form an alloy with metallic bonding present. When a metal and non-metal bond, it is always ionic bonding and for the GCSE, noble gases are regarded as being completely unreactive

5 .

How many electrons are involved in a covalent bond?

As many as are free

Covalent bonds are formed from pairs of electrons, one from each atom involved

6 .

Pick the correct combination of properties of most covalent compounds.

Non-conductor
Low melting points

Conductor
Low melting points

Conductor
High melting points

Non-conductor
High boiling points

Most covalent compounds do not conduct electricity because they do not contain any ions and have low melting and boiling points as the bonds between the molecules are weak and can be easily broken by increasing the temperature

7 .

A water molecule is covalently bonded. How many covalent bonds does it have?

Oxygen has a valency of 2 so it only ever forms two covalent bonds. You can work this out for yourself from the electron structure

8 .

How many covalent bonds can nitrogen form?

It has 3 unpaired electrons in its outermost energy level (electron shell) therefore will form 3 covalent bonds

9 .

Methane is covalently bonded. How many bonds are involved?

The carbon forms one covalent bond with each hydrogen atom, the formula of methane is therefore CH₄

10 .

What happens to electrons in covalent bonding?

They are shared by the atoms

They pass from one atom to another

They are removed from the atoms' shell

They are added to both atoms' shells

Non-metals can only lose electrons under extreme conditions, it is much easier for them to share electrons to become stable

You can find more about this topic by visiting BBC Bitesize - Giant covalent molecules

Author: Kate Gardiner (Chemistry Educator & GCSE Quiz Writer)

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