Starter quiz
- Select the diagram that shows ionic bonding.
sodium chloride (NaCl) ✓
methane (CH₄)
lithium (Li)
- In a dot and cross diagram, what do the dots and crosses represent?
- different elements
- protons and neutrons
- electrons from different atoms ✓
- ionic and covalent bonds
- positive and negative charges
-
- Which type of bonding involves the sharing of electron pairs between atoms?
- ionic bonding
- covalent bonding ✓
- metallic bonding
-
- The number of outer shell electrons in a carbon atom is ...
- 2.
- 4. ✓
- 6.
- 12.
-
- A molecule is ...
- an atom with a full outer shell.
- a group of ions bonded together.
- a group of atoms bonded ionically.
- a group of atoms bonded covalently. ✓
- a single atom.
-
- Which of the following substances are classed as covalent molecules?
- carbon dioxide (CO₂) ✓
- water (H₂O) ✓
- potassium nitrate (KNO₃)
- iron (Fe)
- neon (Ne)
-
Exit quiz
- How many covalent bonds can a carbon atom typically form?
- '4' ✓
- Which of the following best defines a covalent bond?
- attraction between opposite charges
- shared electrons
- transfer of electrons from one atom to another
- bond between non-metal atoms
- electrostatic attraction between nuclei and shared pair of electrons ✓
-
- What is an organic compound?
- A compound containing only carbon and hydrogen.
- A compound found in living organisms.
- A compound with carbon atoms covalently bonded to other elements. ✓
- A naturally occurring compound.
- A synthetic compound.
-
- A ______ is a particle consisting of a fixed number of non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.
- 'molecule' ✓
- In a covalent bond, what is being shared between atoms?
- 'electrons' ✓
- True or false? Carbon atoms in organic compounds can form only straight chain and branched chain structures.
- True
- False ✓
Worksheet
Presentation
Video
Lesson Details
Key learning points
- Carbon atoms will form up to four covalent bonds (as they will fill their outer shell with four more electrons).
- Carbon atoms can combine with other non-metal atoms to make a wide range of molecules, some with chains and rings.
- An organic compound contains two or more elements (including carbon).
- A lot of organic compounds also include hydrogen, oxygen and nitrogen.
- Organic compounds can be found both in nature, but also produced synthetically.
Common misconception
Atoms are often anthropomorphised, described as 'wanting' full shells. This implies intent and oversimplifies chemical bonding.
Focus on the tendency of atoms to fill their outer shell to 8 electrons to become stable. Emphasise carbon atoms do this by sharing electrons in covalent bonds.
Keywords
Octet rule - The tendency for atoms to fill their outer shell to 8 electrons to become stable. This occurs through chemical bonding, and results in the electron configuration of a noble gas.
Covalent bond - The strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of the bonded atoms.
Molecule - A particle consisting of a fixed number of (two or more) non-metal atoms covalently bonded together.
Organic compound - A chemical compound in which one or more atoms of carbon are covalently linked to atoms of other elements, most commonly hydrogen, oxygen, or nitrogen.