High School Chemistry

High School Chemistry explores the fundamental principles of chemistry, including the structure of atoms, chemical reactions, and the properties of matter.

Advanced Topics

Chemical Bonding

Why Atoms Stick Together

Chemical bonding explains how atoms join to form molecules and compounds. There are three main types of bonds:

  • Ionic bonds: Electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.
  • Covalent bonds: Atoms share pairs of electrons to achieve stability.
  • Metallic bonds: Electrons move freely among a lattice of metal ions, giving metals unique properties.

Bonding and Stability

Atoms bond to achieve a stable electron configuration, often trying to fill their outermost shell (the "octet rule").

Everyday Relevance

Bonding explains why salt dissolves in water, why diamonds are so hard, and why metals conduct electricity.

Examples

  • Table salt (NaCl) forms when sodium gives up an electron to chlorine.

  • Water (H₂O) molecules are held together by covalent bonds between hydrogen and oxygen.

In a Nutshell

Chemical bonds hold atoms together to form the substances we see and use every day.