Head to savemyexams.

com for more awesome resources

IGCSE Chemistry CIE Your notes

2.3 Simple Molecules & Covalent Bonds

Contents
2.3.1 Covalent Bonds
2.3.2 Molecules & Compounds
2.3.3 Properties of Simple Molecular Compounds

Page 1 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

2.3.1 Covalent Bonds

Your notes
The Formation of Covalent Bonds
Covalent compounds
Covalent compounds are formed when pairs of electrons are shared between atoms
Only non-metal elements participate in covalent bonding
As in ionic bonding, each atom gains a full outer shell of electrons, giving them a noble gas
electronic configuration
When two or more atoms are covalently bonded together, we describe them as ‘molecules’
Dot-and-cross diagrams can be used to show the electric configurations in simple molecules
Electrons from one atom are represented by a dot, and the electrons of the other atom are
represented by a cross
The electron shells of each atom in the molecule overlap and the shared electrons are shown in
the area of overlap
The dot-and-cross diagram of the molecule shows clearly which atom each electron originated
from

Page 2 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

Diagram showing how a covalent bond forms between two chlorine atoms

Page 3 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Exam Tip
Your notes
When drawing dot-and-cross diagrams for covalent compounds, make sure that the electron
shell for each atom is full (remember that the 1st shell can only hold 2 electrons).

Page 4 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Single Covalent Bonds

Many simple molecules exist in which two adjacent atoms share one pair of electrons, also known Your notes
as a single covalent bond (or single bond)
Common Examples of Simple Molecules
Hydrogen:

Chlorine:

Water:

Page 5 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

Methane:

Ammonia:

Page 6 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

Hydrogen chloride:

Page 7 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

2.3.2 Molecules & Compounds

Your notes
Covalent Bonds in Complex Covalent Molecules
EXTENDED
Some atoms need to share more than one pair of electrons to gain a full outer shell of electrons
If two adjacent atoms share two pairs of electrons, two covalent bonds are formed, also known
as a double bond
If two adjacent atoms share three pairs of electrons, three covalent bonds are formed, also
known as a triple bond
Nitrogen:
When 2 nitrogen atoms react they share 3 pairs of electrons to form a triple bond

Ethene:
In ethene, the 2 carbon atoms share 2 pairs of electrons
This is known as a double bond

Page 8 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

Methanol:

Carbon Dioxide:

Page 9 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Your notes

Exam Tip
Be careful when drawing dot-and-cross diagrams, it is a common mistake for students to draw
the wrong type of diagram. Remember, if the compound contains metal and non-metal, it is an
ionic compound and you need to draw the ions separated, with square brackets around each
ion, together with a charge. If the compound contains non-metal atoms only, it is a covalent
compound, the shells should overlap and contain one or more pairs of electrons.

Page 10 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

2.3.3 Properties of Simple Molecular Compounds

Your notes
Properties of Simple Molecular Compounds
Small molecules are compounds made up of molecules that contain just a few atoms covalently
bonded together
They have low melting and boiling points so covalent compounds are usually liquids or gases at
room temperature
As the molecules increase in size, the melting and boiling points generally increase
Small molecules have poor electrical conductivity

Page 11 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Explaining the Properties of Simple Molecular Compounds

EXTENDED Your notes
Small molecules have covalent bonds joining the atoms together, but intermolecular forces that
act between neighbouring molecules
They have low melting and boiling points as there are only weak intermolecular forces
acting between the molecules
These forces are very weak when compared to the covalent bonds and so most small
molecules are either gases or liquids at room temperature
As the molecules increase in size the intermolecular forces also increase as there are more
electrons available
This causes the melting and boiling points to increase

The bonds between hydrogen and oxygen in water are COVALENT, and the attractions between the
molecules are INTERMOLECULAR FORCES which are about one tenth as strong as covalent bonds

Exam Tip
The atoms within covalent molecules are held together by covalent bonds while the molecules in
a covalent substance are attracted to each other by intermolecular forces.

Electrical Conductivity
Molecular compounds are poor conductors of electricity as there are no free ions or electrons to
carry the charge.
Most covalent compounds do not conduct at all in the solid state and are thus insulators

Page 12 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers
 Head to savemyexams.com for more awesome resources

Common insulators include the plastic coating around household electrical wiring, rubber and
wood
Your notes

The plastic coating around electrical wires is made from covalent molecules that do not allow a flow of
charge

Page 13 of 13

© 2015-2024 Save My Exams, Ltd. · Revision Notes, Topic Questions, Past Papers