Related Concepts

1. The Rutherford (nuclear) model of the atom and the quantum mechanical model of the atom in terms of electron configurations form the conceptual basis for chemical bonding.

2. There are four known kinds of forces: gravitational, electromagnetic, weak nuclear, and strong nuclear forces. Of these, bonding is determined only by electromagnetic forces.

   

3. Gravitational and electromagnetic forces obey an inverse square law. Coulomb's law, of interest in bonding, illustrates this:

   In this expression, F is the coulombic force, q is the magnitude and sign of the two charges, d is the distance separating them, and k is the proportionality constant.

4. There is a general tendency for all matter to change to the lowest potential energy possible during chemical changes. A general knowledge of this tendency, energy units, and how energy changes are measured are helpful in understanding chemical bonding.

5. Concepts of atomic structure should be developed before considering bonding.

6. Concepts of periodicity should be developed prior to considering this topic.

Related Skills

1. Write electron configurations for common elements.

2. Decide, on the basis of electronegativity differences, bond polarity and bond type (i.e., ionic or covalent).

3. Use and draw vectors to represent polar covalent bonds.

	TABLE OF CONTENTS	TOPIC OVERVIEW	CONCEPT/SKILLS DEVELOPMENT	LINKS/CONNECTIONS	EXTENSIONS