Covalent Bonding
Covalent bonding forms when atoms share pairs of electrons. These pages separate the key ideas so that students can revise ordinary covalent bonds, dative covalent bonds and how electronegativity affects bond polarity.
The section also covers ionic and metallic bonding, simple molecular and giant lattices, and intermolecular forces with hydrogen bonding and the anomalous properties of water.
Revision Notes
4 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.
Nature of Covalent Bonding
Revise how atoms share electron pairs, including dot-and-cross diagrams and simple molecular substances.
Start revising
Dative Covalent Bonding
Learn how a dative covalent bond forms when both electrons in the shared pair are donated by the same atom.
Start revising
Giant Covalent Structures
Compare diamond, graphite and graphene: how each is bonded, and why the structure explains hardness, melting point and electrical conductivity.
Start revising
Electronegativity
Connect electronegativity differences with polar bonds, uneven electron density and partial charges in covalent molecules.
Start revisingSummary Map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Summary map
Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.
Covalent Bonding Map
OCR A Level Chemistry A · 2.2.2 Bonding and structure · Covalent bonding
The whole section on one A4 page: covalent and dative bonds, dot-and-cross diagrams, average bond enthalpy, electronegativity and polarity.
© 2026 Online Learning System. For personal study: printing is allowed; editing, copying and redistribution are not.
Virtual Lessons
Recorded video lessons that teach the topic step by step.
The Virtual Lessons for Covalent Bonding are being recorded.
MCQ Bank
Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit.
The MCQ papers for Covalent Bonding are being written.
SAQ Bank
Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic.
The exam practice papers for Covalent Bonding are being written.
Revision Game
Match reagents to products, with your board's reagents and conditions.
The revision game for Covalent Bonding is being built.
Study Cards
Pick a deck, then turn each card to check what you remember.
Specification
Every specification point in this topic, in the exam board's own words. Rate how confident you are with each one.
Self-assessment · 13 points
Sign in to rate how confident you feel about each point. Your ratings are saved to your account, follow you to any device, and appear beside your KASP analytics, kept apart from your marks.
2.2.2
- d
covalent bond as the strong electrostatic attraction between a shared pair of electrons and the nuclei of the bonded atoms
Revise - e (i)
construction of 'dot-and-cross' diagrams of molecules and ions to describe single covalent bonding
Revise - e (ii)
construction of 'dot-and-cross' diagrams of molecules and ions to describe multiple covalent bonding
Revise - e (iii)
construction of 'dot-and-cross' diagrams of molecules and ions to describe dative covalent (coordinate) bonding
Revise - i i
electronegativity as the ability of an atom to attract the bonding electrons in a covalent bond
Revise - j (i) a
explanation of a polar bond within molecules containing covalently-bonded atoms with different electronegativities
Revise - j (i) b
explanation of a permanent dipole within molecules containing covalently-bonded atoms with different electronegativities
Revise
3.1.1
- e i
explanation of the solid giant covalent lattice of diamond as a network of atoms bonded by strong covalent bonds
- e ii
explanation of the solid giant covalent lattice of graphite as a network of atoms bonded by strong covalent bonds
- e iii
explanation of the solid giant covalent lattice of graphene as a network of atoms bonded by strong covalent bonds
- f iv
explanation of the melting and boiling points of giant covalent lattices in terms of structure and bonding
- f vi
explanation of the electrical conductivity of giant covalent lattices in terms of structure and bonding
Keep this note — free
Save your progress across every OCR topic. A free account remembers which topics you have covered, saves your question scores, and syncs across your phone and laptop.
- Track every topic you have finished
- Keep your practice-question scores
- No payment, no card, free forever
Already registered? Log in