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Questions tagged [covalent-compounds]

For questions about covalent compounds - which are compounds in which all intermolecular bonds between atoms are considered mostly covalent - have a stronger covalent than ionic or metallic component. This tag is not to be confused with [bond].

A covalent bond is formed when atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. A molecule is the smallest unit of a substance that keeps all of the properties of that substance, and is formed of atoms covalently bonded to one another. Examples: $\ce{O2}$ and $\ce{H2O}$.

A covalent compound is a chemical substance made up of atoms of more than one different elements held together by chemical bonds. So $\ce{H2O}$ is a compound, but $\ce{O2}$ is not because it does not have more than one different element in it.

See also:

  1. BBC

  2. Education portal

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Melting of Covalent Networks

When you melt a covalent network, you break intramolecular covalent bonds, is that not a chemical change? Also, is ionisation a chemical or physical change?
Person
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is it possible for covalent compounds to produce colour during flame test?

I have heard it is the metal ions that are the reason for flame colour during a flame test. so in covalent bond, there are no metal ions does that mean covalent compounds don't produce flame colour. if not what is the reason, if yes why doesn't…
Son Jerm
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Why do simple molecular substances have weak intermolecular forces and why do giant covalent substances have strong intermolecular forces?

Why do simple molecular substances have weak intermolecular forces and why do giant covalent substances have strong intermolecular forces? I understand that in simple molecular substances the atoms within a molecule are held together by strong…
francesca
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Why does covalent bonding satisfy atoms?

Having to retake an introductory chemistry course has gotten me thinking. Covalent bonding is where electrons are shared between two atoms that both want more electrons. Let us take $\ce{O2}$ as an example. The red and purple oxygen atoms share 2…
John Hon
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How does P4O10 make sense?

I'm trying to understand the gains phosphorus has from forming $\ce{P4O10}$. The molecular structure is such that every oxygen atom forms two bonds (either two with one phosphorus atom, or one with two), while every phosphorus atom forms five…
user46667
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Intermolecular forces - Covalent bonding

Im confused. How to relate permanent dipole dipole moment, temporary dipole induced dipole and Van der waals forces of attractrion?
Anonymous
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What is the structure of nitrite?

I know that $\ce{NO2}$ has 3 effective pairs, so it is likely to have trigonal planar structure. In trigonal planar structure we usually see three atoms bonded to central atom at 120°. But in $\ce{NO2-}$, I observe that though it has three…
Aneek
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What exactly is "oxidation state"?

the textbooks say that it is the amount of electrons lost or gained by an atom in a bond but in a covalent molecule the atoms never technically lose electrons ,instead share them to in such a way to complete their octet.for eg:- In OF2 molecule, it…
aadhi balaji
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Do temporary dipoles form in silicon(IV) dioxide?

Textbooks only ever mention covalent bonds between silicon and oxygen atoms in silica. However, as electron movement is random, one end of a silicon atom in a given instant could be more positive than the other (setting up a temporary dipole) and…
Tom Brooks
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Why does carbon dioxide forms simple molecular structure, but silicon dioxide forms giant covalent structure?

I was wondering about this in class, drawing the structures of carbon dioxide and silicon dioxide. Carbon and silicon are both in Group 4/14, but coming up with oxygen, one can only form a simple molecular structure while the other can form a giant…
luma
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Covalent and Ionic bonds with Semi-metals

why are some semimetals considered as a metal, and some, a nonmetal when paired with some atoms. Like in BF, it is an ionic bond, but in SiCl, it is a covalent bond. Do their electronegativities matter?
user26957
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Why don't covalent compounds have ions?

When a covalent bond is formed, elements gain shared electrons. Wouldn't this mean covalent compounds contain ions? According to BBC and other sources they don't have any ions at all... How is this so?
L. Mutal
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Why do non-metals not form Ionic bonds(Ti-C, Sc-P) and instead form covalent compounds?

Is there something like, "sharing or gaining electrons gets harder", or is there something that lays hidden from common sight? I am looking for a High-School Level Answer, pls something provide me with this answer..
Aniket Gamer
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Covalent bond in NO3

Can anyone explain how the bonding is formed in NO3 because I can't understand how N can satisfy electron hunger of 3 oxygen atom
Faisal
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