How does the number of valence electrons affect how an atom covalently bonds?

1 Answer
anor277
Jun 25, 2017

Well, by long tradition, we consider a #"covalent bond"# to be the sharing of 2 electrons.........and an #"ionic bond"# to result from the transfer of electrons........

Explanation:

The modern chemical bond is conceived to be a region of high electron density BETWEEN two positively charged atomic nuclei, such that internuclear repulsion (i.e. BETWEEN the positively charged nuclei) is minimized and a net attractive force results.

The equilibrium distance that maximizes #"nucleus/electron cloud"# attraction, and minimizes internuclear repulsion, is also known as the equilibrium bond-length between the participating atoms.

I have said much the same thing here.

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