Sharing Electrons

The covalent bond

An interactive lesson with 8 steps, about 7 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons; it counts for both atoms.
• Usual bond counts: H 1, O 2, N 3, C 4, halogens 1.
• Unshared pairs are lone pairs.

Steps

1. When neither will give
2. Two atoms meet
3. Chlorine gas
4. Ammonia
5. Lone pairs in water
6. Oxygen’s cousin
7. Wood alcohol
8. Two carbons