Edexcel A Level Chemistry

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 Papers

Paper 1 & 2

9CH0/01 and 9CH0/02

Specification Points

2.7 – 2.27

8 points covered

Sub-topics

4 lessons

Revision notes available

Exam Board

Edexcel

Pearson 9CH0

Revision Notes

Work through each part of Edexcel Topic 2 in a structured sequence.

Shared electrons

Nature of Covalent Bonding

shared pairs and simple molecules

Nature of Covalent Bonding

Revise how atoms share electron pairs, including dot-and-cross diagrams and simple molecular substances.

Start revising

Coordinate bonding

Dative Covalent Bonding

one atom donates both electrons

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

Network solids

Giant Covalent Structures

diamond, graphite and graphene

Giant Covalent Structures

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

Start revising

Bond polarity

Electronegativity

uneven electron density in a bond

Electronegativity

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

Start revising

Summary map

Download, print and revise the key facts of this topic at a glance.

Summary map · PDF

Covalent Bonding Map

Edexcel A Level Chemistry · Topic 2 Bonding and Structure · 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

Virtual Lessons

Watch
& learn

2 video lessons

With the course

Virtual Lessons

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

See what is inside

Topic 2A 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.

Get the full course · £9.99 See what is inside

Multiple Choice Question Exam Practice

Test yourself: 3 MCQ papers

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

Start MCQ (A) free

3 exam-style multiple-choice papers, MCQ (A) to (C): 52 questions on Topic 2A 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.

Start MCQ (A) free Get the full course · £9.99

Exam Practice Questions

Written and drawn answers: 3 papers

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

See what is inside

3 exam papers, (A) to (C): 44 questions on Topic 2A 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.

Get the full course · £9.99 See what is inside

Specification

Specification Coverage

Covalent Bonding – Edexcel A Level Chemistry

The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 2.

2A: Bonding

2.7

know that a covalent bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between two nuclei and the shared pair of electrons between them

2.8

be able to draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show electrons in covalent substances, including:

molecules with single, double and triple bonds

species exhibiting dative covalent, coordinate, bonding, including Al₂Cl₆ and ammonium ion

2.9

understand the relationship between bond lengths and bond strengths for covalent bonds

2.13

know that electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract the bonding electrons in a covalent bond

2.14

know that ionic and covalent bonding are the extremes of a continuum of bonding type and that electronegativity differences lead to bond polarity in bonds and molecules

2B: Structure

2.23

know that giant lattices are present in:

ionic solids, giant ionic lattices

covalently bonded solids, such as diamond, graphite and silicon(IV) oxide, giant covalent lattices

iii

solid metals, giant metallic lattices

2.25

know the different structures formed by carbon atoms, including graphite, diamond and graphene

2.27

be able to predict the physical properties of a substance, including melting and boiling temperature, electrical conductivity and solubility in water, in terms of:

the types of particle present, atoms, molecules, ions, electrons

the structure of the substance

iii

the type of bonding and the presence of intermolecular forces, where relevant

Specification Coverage

Covalent Bonding – Edexcel A Level Chemistry

The following specification points outline the knowledge and skills students are expected to demonstrate for Topic 2.

2A: Bonding

2.7

know that a covalent bond is the strong electrostatic attraction between two nuclei and the shared pair of electrons between them

2.8

be able to draw dot-and-cross diagrams to show electrons in covalent substances, including:

molecules with single, double and triple bonds

species exhibiting dative covalent, coordinate, bonding, including Al₂Cl₆ and ammonium ion

2.9

understand the relationship between bond lengths and bond strengths for covalent bonds

2.13

know that electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract the bonding electrons in a covalent bond

2.14

know that ionic and covalent bonding are the extremes of a continuum of bonding type and that electronegativity differences lead to bond polarity in bonds and molecules

2B: Structure

2.23

know that giant lattices are present in:

ionic solids, giant ionic lattices

covalently bonded solids, such as diamond, graphite and silicon(IV) oxide, giant covalent lattices

iii

solid metals, giant metallic lattices

2.25

know the different structures formed by carbon atoms, including graphite, diamond and graphene

2.27

be able to predict the physical properties of a substance, including melting and boiling temperature, electrical conductivity and solubility in water, in terms of:

the types of particle present, atoms, molecules, ions, electrons

the structure of the substance

iii

the type of bonding and the presence of intermolecular forces, where relevant

Covalent Bonding

Revision Notes

Summary map

Virtual Lessons

Multiple Choice Question Exam Practice

Exam Practice Questions

Specification

Covalent Bonding – Edexcel A Level Chemistry

2A: Bonding

2B: Structure

Covalent Bonding – Edexcel A Level Chemistry

2A: Bonding

2B: Structure

Keep this note — free