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Edexcel International A Level Chemistry

Nature of 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.

Exam Unit
Unit 1
WCH11/01 – IAS
Specification Points
3.10 – 3.14
5 points covered
Sub-topics
4 lessons
Revision notes available
Exam Board
Edexcel International
Pearson International

Revision Notes

4 revision notes, in the order the specification teaches them.

Two overlapping atoms sharing a pair of electrons
1

Covalent Bonding

Revise how atoms share pairs of electrons to form covalent bonds, including dot-and-cross diagrams and simple molecular substances.

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A lone pair forming a dative bond to a boron atom
2

Dative Covalent Bonding

Learn how a dative covalent bond forms when both electrons in the shared pair are donated by the same atom.

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A diamond network beside graphite layers
3

Giant Covalent Structures

Compare diamond, graphite and graphene: how each is bonded, and why the structure explains hardness, melting temperature and electrical conductivity.

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Bonding electrons pulled towards the stronger atom
4

Electronegativity

Connect electronegativity differences with polar bonds, uneven electron density and partial charges in covalent molecules.

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Summary 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.

Illustration of a summary map: compounds joined by reaction arrows
Summary map · PDF

Covalent Bonding Map

Edexcel International A Level Chemistry · Unit 1 · Topic 3B Covalent Bonding

The whole section on one A4 page: covalent and dative bonds, dot-and-cross diagrams, bond length and strength, electronegativity and the bonding continuum.

Download the map6 key ideas + a data table · A4 portrait · print ready

© 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.

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Virtual Lessons

Taught step by step in 2 recorded video lessons, to watch at your own pace.

Topic 3B Covalent Bonding taught by a specialist chemistry teacher, in 2 recorded video lessons that follow the specification.

  • Learn it before you revise itEach lesson explains the chemistry step by step, with the diagrams, mechanisms and worked examples the exam expects.
  • At your own pacePause, rewind and rewatch any part. Each lesson opens where you stopped.
  • Your progress is keptA lesson is ticked off once you have watched most of it, here and in your course on Moodle.

MCQ Bank

Multiple-choice papers on this topic, marked the moment you submit. MCQ (A) is free.

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Test yourself: 3 MCQ papers

Exam-style multiple-choice papers, marked the moment you submit with every answer explained. MCQ (A) is free.

3 exam-style multiple-choice papers, MCQ (A) to (C): 52 questions on Topic 3B Covalent Bonding, written the way the exam asks them.

  • Marked the moment you submitYour score straight away, with every answer explained, right or wrong.
  • Revise what you missedEach explanation links to the revision notes for that point.
  • MCQ (A) is freeTry the first paper now. MCQ (B) to (C) come with the course.
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SAQ Bank

Written, drawn and worked exam practice on this topic, marked by a specialist chemistry teacher.

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Written and drawn answers: 3 papers

Draw, write and calculate the way the exam asks, then a specialist chemistry teacher marks your work.

3 exam papers, (A) to (C): 44 questions on Topic 3B Covalent Bonding with no multiple choice. You write explanations, work out calculations and draw answers: structures, mechanisms and diagrams.

  • Answer the way the exam asksThe real paper wants written, worked and drawn answers, so that is how you practise.
  • Marked by a teacher, assisted by KASPA specialist chemistry teacher marks every answer against the mark scheme, with feedback on what to fix.
  • One paper marked each weekYour marked paper comes back here with every marking point shown.
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Revision Game

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Study Cards

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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

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3.10

  1. i

    understand that covalent bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between two nuclei and the shared pair of electrons between them, based on the evidence: the physical properties of giant atomic structures

    Revise
  2. ii

    understand that covalent bonding is the strong electrostatic attraction between two nuclei and the shared pair of electrons between them, based on the evidence: electron density maps for simple molecules

    Revise

3.11

  1. i

    be able to draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show electrons in covalent substances, including: molecules with single, double and triple bonds

    Revise
  2. ii

    be able to draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show electrons in covalent substances, including: species with dative covalent (coordinate) bonds, including Al2Cl6 and the ammonium ion

    Revise

3.12

  1. a

    be able to describe the structure of graphite

    Revise
  2. b

    be able to describe the structure of diamond

    Revise
  3. c

    be able to describe the structure of graphene

    Revise

3.13

  1. 3.13

    understand the meaning of the term ‘electronegativity’ as applied to atoms in a covalent bond

    Revise

3.14

  1. a

    know that ionic and covalent bonding are the extremes of a continuum of bonding type

    Revise
  2. b

    be able to explain the continuum of bonding type in terms of electronegativity differences

    Revise
  3. c

    be able to explain how electronegativity differences lead to bond polarity in bonds

    Revise
  4. d

    be able to explain how electronegativity differences lead to polar molecules

    Revise
  5. e

    be able to explain how large electronegativity differences lead to ionic bonding

    Revise