Name: how atoms bond to reach stability
Uploaded: 2023-06-23T15:38:43.000Z
Duration: 1 min 1 s
Channel: JoVE

Chemical bonds hold the atoms of a molecule or compound together. Bonds form when the electrons in the atom&#39;s valence shell are donated or shared with other atoms.
For instance, ionic bonds form when atoms donate or accept electrons, filling their valence shell. An atom that donates electrons and becomes positively charged is a cation, while one that accepts electrons and becomes negatively charged is an anion.
In table salt, the association between the sodium cation and the chloride anion is an ionic bond.
Covalent bonds are formed between atoms that mutually share one or more pairs of valence electrons.
For example, two hydrogen atoms can share a pair of electrons, forming a single covalent bond. Oxygen and nitrogen can share two and three electron pairs, forming double and triple bonds.&#160;

introduction to chemical bonds

Introduction to Chemical Bonds

Chemical Bonds
The electrons of the outermost energy level determine the energetic stability of the atom and its tendency to form chemical bonds with other atoms. The innermost electron shell has a maximum capacity of two electrons, but the next two electron shells can each have a maximum of eight electrons. This is known as the octet rule, which states that, with the exception of the innermost shell, atoms are most stable energetically when they have eight electrons in their valence shell, the outermost electron shell.
However, since not all elements have enough electrons to fill their outermost shells, atoms form chemical bonds with other atoms, thereby obtaining the electrons they need to attain a stable electronic configuration. Therefore, a chemical bond is the force that holds atoms together in a molecule or compound.
Ionic Bonds
Atoms can gain or lose electrons to fill their valence shell. In doing so, they become electrically charged and are called ions. A cation is a positively charged atom that loses electrons, while an atom that gains electrons and becomes negatively charged is an anion. The opposite charges of cations and anions exert a moderately strong mutual attraction that keeps the atoms in close proximity forming an ionic bond. An ionic bond is an ongoing, close association between ions of opposite charge. Common table salt owes its existence to ionic bonding.
Covalent Bonds
Another way the octet rule can be satisfied is by the sharing of electrons between atoms to form covalent bonds. These bonds are stronger and much more common than ionic bonds in the molecules of living organisms. Covalent bonds are commonly found in carbon-based organic molecules, such as our DNA and proteins. Covalent bonds are also found in inorganic molecules like water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.
Hydrogen Bonds
A hydrogen bond is formed when a weakly positive hydrogen atom already bonded to one electronegative atom (for example, the oxygen in the water molecule) is attracted to another electronegative atom from another molecule. The most common example of hydrogen bonding in the natural world occurs between molecules of water. It happens whenever two raindrops merge into a larger bead or a creek spills into a river. Hydrogen bonding occurs because the weakly negative oxygen atom in one water molecule is attracted to the weakly positive hydrogen atoms of two other water molecules.
This text is partially adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/anatomy-and-physiology-2e/pages/2-2-chemical-bonds?query=chemical%20bond&amp;target=%7B%22type%22%3A%22search%22%2C%22index%22%3A0%7D#fs-id1493624">Openstax, Anatomy and Physiology 2e, Section 2.2: Chemical Bonds.</a> <a href="https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/2-1-atoms-isotopes-ions-and-molecules-the-building-blocks?query=chemical%20bonds">Openstax, </a><a href="https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/2-1-atoms-isotopes-ions-and-molecules-the-building-blocks?query=chemical%20bonds">Biology for AP&#174; Courses</a><a href="https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/2-1-atoms-isotopes-ions-and-molecules-the-building-blocks?query=chemical%20bonds"> Section </a><a href="https://openstax.org/books/biology-ap-courses/pages/2-1-atoms-isotopes-ions-and-molecules-the-building-blocks?query=chemical%20bonds">2.1 Atoms, Isotopes, Ions, and Molecules: The Building Blocks.</a>

Chemical Bonds
The electrons of the outermost energy level determine the energetic stability of the atom and its tendency to form chemical bonds with ...

Education

JoVE Core

Anatomy and Physiology

Unit 1

Fundamentals of Chemistry

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

how atoms bond to reach stability

Atoms bond to become more stable, and their outermost electrons play the biggest role in that process. The inner electron shell can hold two electrons. The next two shells can each hold eight electrons. This is called the octet rule. It states that, except for the innermost shell, atoms are most stable when their valence shell, or outer shell, has eight electrons.

When atoms do not have enough electrons to fill that outer shell, they form chemical bonds with other atoms. A chemical bond is the force that holds atoms together in a molecule or compound. These bonds let atoms reach a more stable electron arrangement.

One common type is an ionic bond. In this case, atoms gain or lose electrons to fill their valence shell. When they do this, they become ions. A cation is a positively charged ion that has lost electrons. An anion is a negatively charged ion that has gained electrons. The opposite charges attract each other and keep the ions close together. This close association forms an ionic bond. Table salt is a common example of a substance made through ionic bonding.

Another way atoms satisfy the octet rule is by sharing electrons. This creates covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are stronger and much more common than ionic bonds in the molecules of living organisms. They are found in carbon-based organic molecules such as DNA and proteins. They also occur in inorganic molecules like water, carbon dioxide, and oxygen.

Hydrogen bonds are a weaker kind of attraction. They form when a weakly positive hydrogen atom, already bonded to another electronegative atom such as oxygen, is attracted to a different electronegative atom in another molecule. Water is the most common example. Hydrogen bonding helps explain why raindrops can merge into larger beads and why a creek can flow into a river.

How Atoms Bond to Reach Stability

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key terms and concepts

Learn how atoms use ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds to reach stability. Explore valence electrons, ions, and examples like salt and water.

How Atoms Bond to Reach Stability | JoVE K12

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JoVE Core Anatomy and Physiology showcases the anatomical and physiological details of the human body in comprehensive, clear, and engaging video animations. This collection of lessons focuses on the structures, components, functions, and requirements of the human body. It is complemented by scientist-in-action videos that demonstrate the application of this knowledge in real-world medical and research settings.

How Atoms Bond to Reach Stability

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