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ICSE Class 10 · Chemistry · Chapter 2

Chemical Bonding – Ionic and Covalent Compounds

6 topics · 15 questions

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Everything you need, in order

Chemical Bonding - Introduction

  • Chemical Bond: The force of attraction that holds atoms together in a molecule or compound.
  • Why Bonding Occurs: Atoms bond to achieve stable electronic configuration (octet rule - 8 electrons in valence shell).
  • Octet Rule: Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to have 8 electrons in their outermost shell (like noble gases).
  • Duplet Rule: Hydrogen and helium achieve stability with 2 electrons in valence shell.
  • Types of Bonds: Ionic bond (electrovalent bond), covalent bond, and coordinate covalent bond.
  • Valence Electrons: Electrons in outermost shell that participate in bonding.

Ionic Bond (Electrovalent Bond)

  • Definition: Bond formed by complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another, creating ions.
  • Formation: Metal loses electrons (forms cation), non-metal gains electrons (forms anion). Electrostatic attraction holds them.
  • Example: NaCl → Na⁺ + Cl⁻. Na loses 1 electron (2,8,1 → 2,8); Cl gains 1 electron (2,8,7 → 2,8,8).
  • Conditions: Large difference in electronegativity (>1.7), low ionization energy of metal, high electron affinity of non-metal.
  • Electrovalency: Number of electrons lost or gained. Na has electrovalency +1, Cl has electrovalency -1.
  • Formula Writing: Total positive charge = Total negative charge. Example: Mg²⁺ and O²⁻ → MgO; Al³⁺ and O²⁻ → Al₂O₃.

Properties of Ionic Compounds

  • Physical State: Solid at room temperature. Hard but brittle.
  • Melting and Boiling Points: High due to strong electrostatic forces between ions.
  • Solubility: Soluble in water (polar solvent), insoluble in organic solvents like benzene.
  • Electrical Conductivity: Conduct electricity in molten state or aqueous solution (due to free mobile ions), not in solid state.
  • Crystal Structure: Form crystalline lattice with regular arrangement of ions.
  • Examples: NaCl (common salt), KCl, CaCl₂, MgO, Na₂O, CaO.

Covalent Bond

  • Definition: Bond formed by sharing of electrons between atoms.
  • Formation: Both atoms contribute electrons to form shared electron pairs.
  • Types: Single bond (1 shared pair), double bond (2 shared pairs), triple bond (3 shared pairs).
  • Examples: H₂ (H-H, single bond), O₂ (O=O, double bond), N₂ (N≡N, triple bond), CH₄ (4 single bonds).
  • Covalency: Number of electron pairs shared. H has covalency 1, O has covalency 2, N has covalency 3, C has covalency 4.
  • Polar and Non-polar: Non-polar (equal sharing - H₂, Cl₂), Polar (unequal sharing - HCl, H₂O).

Properties of Covalent Compounds

  • Physical State: Can be solid, liquid, or gas at room temperature.
  • Melting and Boiling Points: Generally low due to weak intermolecular forces (except network solids like diamond).
  • Solubility: Soluble in organic solvents (non-polar), insoluble in water (except some polar covalent compounds).
  • Electrical Conductivity: Do not conduct electricity in any state (no free ions or electrons).
  • Molecular Structure: Exist as discrete molecules, not lattice structures.
  • Examples: H₂O, CO₂, CH₄, NH₃, HCl, sugar, alcohol, wax.

Comparison and Coordinate Covalent Bond

  • Coordinate Covalent Bond: A covalent bond where both electrons are donated by one atom. Represented by arrow (→).
  • Example: NH₃ + H⁺ → NH₄⁺ (ammonium ion). N donates both electrons to form bond with H⁺.
  • Difference Ionic vs Covalent: Ionic (transfer), Covalent (sharing). Ionic (high MP/BP), Covalent (low MP/BP). Ionic (conduct in solution), Covalent (don't conduct).
  • Electronegativity Difference: >1.7 → Ionic; <1.7 → Covalent; ~0 → Pure covalent.
  • Formation Pattern: Metal + Non-metal → Ionic; Non-metal + Non-metal → Covalent.
  • Strength: Triple bond > Double bond > Single bond (more shared electrons = stronger bond).

Quiz

Test your knowledge

Multiple choice

  1. Question 1 of 15Knowledge
    An ionic bond is formed by:
  2. Question 2 of 15Knowledge
    The octet rule states that atoms tend to have:
  3. Question 3 of 15Knowledge
    Which type of bond is present in NaCl?
  4. Question 4 of 15Knowledge
    Ionic compounds conduct electricity in:
  5. Question 5 of 15Knowledge
    A covalent bond is formed by:
  6. Question 6 of 15Application
    The formula of aluminum oxide is:
  7. Question 7 of 15Knowledge
    Which of the following has a triple bond?
  8. Question 8 of 15Knowledge
    Covalent compounds generally have:
  9. Question 9 of 15Assertion-Reasoning
    Assertion (A): Ionic compounds are soluble in water. Reason (R): Water is a polar solvent.
  10. Question 10 of 15Knowledge
    The bond in methane (CH₄) is:
  11. Question 11 of 15Comprehension
    Which compound has the highest melting point?
  12. Question 12 of 15Knowledge
    In a coordinate covalent bond:
  13. Question 13 of 15Application
    The electronic configuration of Mg²⁺ ion is:
  14. Question 14 of 15Knowledge
    Which of the following is a covalent compound?
  15. Question 15 of 15Application
    The formula of calcium chloride is:

0 of 15 answered