KS1 (Age 5-7)KS2 (Age 7-11)11 Plus (Age 7-11)KS3 (Age 11-14)GCSE (Age 14-17)PSHE A.I.ESL Spanish Specialist Games

Need help with Chemistry - Covalent Bonding (AQA)? Ask our AI Tutor!

AI Tutor - Lucy

Connecting with Tutor...

Please wait while we establish connection

Hi! I'm Lucy, your AI tutor. How can I help you with Chemistry - Covalent Bonding (AQA) today?

now

Water is one of the three covalently bonded compounds that you need to know about, along with carbon dioxide and chlorine gas.

Chemistry - Covalent Bonding (AQA)

Explore covalent bonding, where atoms share pairs of electrons. Learn how simple molecules form, why they have low melting points, and what intermolecular forces really mean.

Explore the Topic →

(quiz starts below)

Fascinating Fact:

Intermolecular forces increase with molecule size, bigger molecules often have higher boiling points.

In GCSE Science (Chemistry), you learn that covalent bonding happens when non-metal atoms share electrons. Simple molecules have covalent bonds inside, but their boiling points depend on the strength of the intermolecular forces between molecules.

Key Terms

Covalent bond: A bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons.
Intermolecular forces: Weak attractions between separate molecules, not the bonds inside the molecules.
Simple molecular substance: A substance made of small molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a covalent bond in GCSE Chemistry?

A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons between two non-metal atoms. Both atoms gain a stable outer shell by sharing electrons.

Why do simple molecular substances have low melting points?

Simple molecular substances have low melting points because only weak intermolecular forces between molecules are broken when they melt, not the strong covalent bonds inside each molecule.

How do intermolecular forces affect boiling points?

Stronger intermolecular forces mean more energy is needed to separate molecules, so the substance has a higher boiling point. Larger molecules usually have stronger intermolecular forces.

Try These Related Quizzes

1 .

Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer energy level (shell). Six of these are arranged in pairs with one on its own. How many covalent bonds can it form?

One

Two

Three

Seven

Only electrons that are not already part of a pair can be shared

2 .

Which of the following is not true about the compound carbon disulfide?

It is made from molecules

It is ionically bonded

It is covalently bonded

There are twice as many sulfur atoms as carbon atoms

You may never have heard of this compound but that doesn't matter. The name tells you enough to answer the question

3 .

Which of the following represents a molecule of carbon dioxide?

O=O=C

C=O=O

O=C=O

C=O=C

Carbon dioxide is a linear molecule - all 3 atoms are in a line, with carbon in the middle

4 .

What is a single covalent bond?

One pair of shared electrons

Two pairs of shared electrons

One electron shared between two atoms

Four electrons shared between two atoms

The second option describes a double covalent bond

5 .

Is salt covalently bonded?

Yes, because it is made from crystals

Yes, because it dissolves in water

No, because it is made from a metal joined to a non-metal

No, because it can be obtained from the ground

To answer correctly without guessing you need to know that salt is sodium chloride. Sodium is a metal so it can't possibly be covalently bonded

6 .

Why is the bonding in chlorine gas covalent?

Chlorine gas is made from molecules

Chlorine is an element

Chlorine is a halogen

Chlorine is a non-metal

All of the statements about chlorine are true. You may have chosen option 1 as you know molecules are always covalently bonded but that doesn't answer the question. The only option that answers 'why' is the fact that it is a non-metal

7 .

How is a single covalent bond conveniently represented?

Two dots side by side

A short horizontal line between the symbols of the elements involved

A dot followed by a dash followed by a dot

A semi colon

A double covalent bond looks like an equals sign and a triple covalent bond is like an equals sign with an extra line underneath (or above!) it

8 .

Which of the following would have covalent bonding?

A compound made from metals

A compound made from non-metals

An element made from metals

None of the above

Compounds of non-metals are always covalently bonded

9 .

Which of the following word equations correctly represents a reaction in which covalent bonding occurs?

Hydrogen + oxygen → water

Carbon + dioxide → carbon dioxide

Sulfuric acid + zinc → hydrogen + zinc sulfate

Chlorine + chlorine → dichlorine

Only the first and the third word equations are correct and since the third one involves a metal, it must have ionic bonding

10 .

Which of the following could have covalent bonding?

An alloy

Atoms of a metal

Atoms of a non-metal

Molecules of a non-metal

Only molecules have covalent bonding which immediately rules out the other answers

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

Author: Kev Woodward (PGCE, Science & Chemistry Teacher, Quiz Writer)

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions.
Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's
not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other
quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

**Unlimited Quizzes Await You! 🚀**

Hey there, quiz champ! 🌟 You've already tackled today's free questions. Ready for more?

🔓 Unlock UNLIMITED Quizzes and challenge yourself every day. But that's not all...

🔥 As a Subscriber you can join our thrilling "Daily Streak" against other quizzers. Try to win a coveted spot on our Hall of Fame Page.

Don't miss out! Join us now and keep the fun rolling. 🎉

Subscribe & Play

Contact Details

Education Quizzes

Heron's Way, Wragg Marsh
Spalding
Lincolnshire
PE12 6HH
England

Email

admin@educationquizzes.com

Customer Service

Home Page Parents Students Tutors Teachers
Colour Filters Safe AI
Your Account

Here To Help

About Us

Our Team Testimonials Parent Reviews Terms and Conditions Privacy Policy

Leave Feedback