Chemistry – Chapter 3:

Bonding & Structure (Full

Notes + Practice Q&A)

1. Ionic Bonding
Definition: Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions (metal + non-
metal).

Process:

Metal atom loses e⁻ → cation (+).

Non-metal atom gains e⁻ → anion (–).

Charges balance to make neutral compound.

Example: NaCl → Na (2,8,1) → Na⁺ (2,8) + Cl (2,8,7) → Cl⁻ (2,8,8).

Properties (with reasons):

High melting/boiling points → strong electrostatic forces in giant lattice need a

lot of energy to break.

Conduct electricity when molten/aqueous, not solid → ions free to move only
when not locked in lattice.

Soluble in water → polar water molecules pull ions apart.

Brittle → when layers shift, like charges meet and repel → crystal shatters.

2. Covalent Bonding
Definition: Sharing of electron pairs between non-metal atoms.

Bond strength: strong (within molecules).

(a) Simple molecular structures (e.g. H₂, H₂O, CH₄, O₂, CO₂)

Low melting/boiling points → weak intermolecular forces (van der Waals or

hydrogen bonding) easy to break.

Don’t conduct electricity → no free ions/electrons.

States → gases/liquids/low-m.p. solids at room temp.

 Solubility → mostly insoluble in water unless polar (HCl, NH₃ dissolve).

(b) Giant covalent structures

Diamond

Each C bonded to 4 others (tetrahedral).

Very hard → rigid 3D lattice.

Very high m.p. → many covalent bonds.

Doesn’t conduct → all electrons used in bonds.

Graphite

Each C bonded to 3 others, hexagonal layers.

Soft/slippery → weak forces between layers.

Conducts electricity → delocalised e⁻ move through layers.

High m.p. → strong covalent bonds in layers.

Silicon dioxide (SiO₂)

Same as diamond structure.

Hard, high m.p. → strong Si–O bonds.

Doesn’t conduct electricity.

Graphene (single graphite layer)

One atom thick, very strong .

Excellent conductor (mobile electrons).

3. Metallic Bonding
Definition: Positive metal ions in a lattice surrounded by a sea of delocalised
electrons.

Properties (with reasons):

High m.p. & b.p. → strong attraction between ions and delocalised e⁻.

Good conductors of heat & electricity → delocalised e⁻ carry charge/energy.

Malleable & ductile → layers of ions slide while metallic bond remains intact.
 High density → ions packed closely.

4. Redox (linked to ionic bonding)

Oxidation = loss of electrons .

Reduction = gain of electrons .

Redox = both happen together.

Example:

Na → Na⁺ + e⁻ (oxidation).

Cl₂ + 2e⁻ → 2Cl⁻ (reduction).

Together: 2Na + Cl₂ → 2NaCl.

5. Key Exam Phrases (must use)

High m.p./b.p. → “many strong bonds must be broken, needs a lot of energy.”

Conducts electricity → “delocalised e⁻ / free ions can move and carry charge.”

Does not conduct → “no delocalised e⁻ / ions fixed in lattice.”

Hard → “giant covalent lattice with strong bonds.”

Brittle → “shifting layers bring like charges together → repulsion cracks lattice.”

Soft/slippery → “layers held by weak forces slide easily.”

Soluble → “polar water molecules attract ions and separate them.”

Practice Questions (50

Q&As)
Ionic Bonding

1. What is ionic bonding?

Electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

2. How is NaCl formed?

Sodium loses 1e⁻, chlorine gains 1e⁻, forming Na⁺ and Cl⁻.
 3. Why does NaCl have a high melting point?

Strong ionic bonds in giant lattice need lots of energy.

4. Why doesn’t NaCl conduct electricity when solid?

Ions fixed in lattice, cannot move.

5. Why does NaCl conduct electricity when molten/aqueous?

Ions free to move and carry charge.

6. Why is NaCl brittle?

Layers shift → like charges repel → lattice shatters.

7. Why is MgO’s melting point higher than NaCl?

Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ have stronger charges than Na⁺ and Cl⁻.

8. Why are ionic compounds usually soluble in water?

Polar water molecules pull ions apart.

9. What happens to electrons in ionic bonding?

Transferred from metal to non-metal.

10. What type of structure do ionic compounds have?

Giant ionic lattice.

Covalent Bonding (Simple Molecular)

11. What is covalent bonding?

Sharing of electron pairs between non-metals.

12. Why does CO₂ have a low melting point?

Simple molecular with weak intermolecular forces.

13. Why does CH₄ not conduct electricity?

No free electrons or ions.

14. Why are many covalent compounds gases/liquids at room temperature?

Weak intermolecular forces.

15. Why is H₂O liquid at room temperature?

Hydrogen bonds between molecules.

16. Why does NH₃ dissolve in water?

 Both are polar molecules.

17. Why are covalent bonds strong?

Strong attraction between shared electrons and nuclei.

18. Why are simple covalent compounds poor conductors?

No mobile charge carriers.

19. What happens to electrons in covalent bonding?

Shared between atoms.

20. Why does HCl have a low boiling point?

Weak intermolecular forces between molecules.

Giant Covalent Structures

21. Why is diamond hard?

Each carbon bonds to 4 others in rigid 3D lattice.

22. Why does diamond have a very high melting point?

Many strong covalent bonds must be broken.

23. Why doesn’t diamond conduct electricity?

No free/delocalised electrons.

24. Why is graphite soft and slippery?

Layers held by weak forces slide easily.

25. Why does graphite conduct electricity?

Delocalised electrons move between layers.

26. Why does graphite have a high melting point?

Strong covalent bonds in layers.

27. Why is SiO₂ hard?

Each Si bonds to 4 O atoms in strong giant lattice.

28. Why does SiO₂ have a very high melting point?

Strong Si–O covalent bonds throughout structure.

29. Why doesn’t SiO₂ conduct electricity?

No delocalised electrons.

30. Why is graphene a good conductor?

 Mobile electrons move freely across sheet.

Metallic Bonding

31. What is metallic bonding?

Attraction between positive metal ions and delocalised electrons.

32. Why do metals have high melting points?

Strong bonds between ions and electrons.

33. Why are metals good conductors of electricity?

Delocalised electrons move freely.

34. Why are metals malleable?

Layers of ions slide while bonds remain intact.

35. Why are metals ductile?

Layers can stretch into wires without breaking bonds.

36. Why do metals have high density?

Ions packed closely together.

37. Why are alloys harder than pure metals?

Different sized atoms distort layers, making sliding harder.

38. Why are metals shiny?

Delocalised electrons reflect light.

39. Why do metals conduct heat?

Delocalised electrons transfer energy quickly.

40. Why is copper used in electrical wires?

Excellent conductor, ductile.

Redox

41. What is oxidation?

Loss of electrons.

42. What is reduction?

Gain of electrons.

43. What is redox?

 Both oxidation and reduction together.

44. In Na + Cl₂ → NaCl, what happens to Na?

Oxidised (loses electron).

45. In Na + Cl₂ → NaCl, what happens to Cl?

Reduced (gains electron).

46. Why is NaCl formation a redox reaction?

Sodium oxidised, chlorine reduced.

47. Which species is the oxidising agent in Na + Cl₂?

Cl₂ (it gains electrons).

48. Which species is the reducing agent in Na + Cl₂?

Na (it loses electrons).

49. What happens to Mg in MgO formation?

Mg is oxidised (loses 2e⁻).

50. What happens to O in MgO formation?

O is reduced (gains 2e⁻).

 Table of Contents
Chem bonding

Chemistry – Chapter 3: Bonding & Structure (Full Notes + Practice Q&A)

1. Ionic Bonding

2. Covalent Bonding

(a) Simple molecular

structures (e.g. H₂, H₂O,
CH₄, O₂, CO₂)

(b) Giant covalent structures

3. Metallic Bonding

4. Redox (linked to ionic bonding)

5. Key Exam Phrases (must use)

Practice Questions (50 Q&As)

Ionic Bonding

Covalent Bonding (Simple

Molecular)

Giant Covalent Structures

Metallic Bonding

Redox