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.

Related questions
See all questions in Valence Electrons
Impact of this question
2042 views around the world
You can reuse this answer
Creative Commons License