Covalent bonding
High School
Definition
A chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. Covalent bonding typically occurs between non-metal atoms and holds together molecules such as water and carbon dioxide.
Worked examples
\(\)H\(_2\)O\(\): Each hydrogen atom shares one electron with oxygen, forming two covalent bonds.
Water molecules form when oxygen shares electrons with two hydrogen atoms.
\(\)CO\(_2\): Carbon shares two pairs of electrons with each oxygen atom, creating double bonds.
Carbon dioxide has two double covalent bonds, with four electrons shared per bond.
Common mistakes
- Covalent bonds transfer electrons from one atom to another → Covalent bonds share electrons between atoms Transferring electrons creates ionic bonds; covalent bonds involve sharing pairs of electrons.
- Covalent bonding occurs between metals and non-metals → Covalent bonding occurs between non-metal atoms Metal-nonmetal combinations typically form ionic bonds, not covalent bonds.
- A single covalent bond always shares exactly two electrons total → A single covalent bond shares one pair (two electrons); double bonds share four electrons Each bond consists of one shared pair; multiple bonds share multiple pairs.
Where you'll use it next
You'll use covalent bonding to understand molecular geometry, polarity, and properties of compounds in organic chemistry, biochemistry, and when studying reactions and bonding in advanced chemistry courses.
Found in 1 StudyPug lesson
Mastering Ionic and Covalent Bonding
11th Grade11thChemistry 11
Dive into the world of chemical bonds! Explore ionic and covalent bonding, understand their formation, and discover how they shape the properties of compounds. Build a strong foundation for advanced chemistry concepts.
See also
Ionic bondingElectronegativityLewis structuresMolecular geometryIntermolecular forcesAtomic Structure
Reviewed by Pat Cheng, M.Ed. — StudyPug Curriculum Lead · Last updated June 6, 2026