Covalent Bonding: Sharing is Caring
A comprehensive lesson introducing covalent bonding, focusing on electron sharing, dot-and-cross diagrams, and the properties of simple molecular substances.
Learning objectives
- Describe a covalent bond as a shared pair of electrons between non-metal atoms.
- Represent covalent bonds using dot-and-cross diagrams for simple molecules.
- Explain the physical properties of simple covalent substances (melting point and conductivity).
- Differentiate between simple molecular structures and giant covalent structures.
Lesson plan (60 minutes)
Introduction · 5 min
Do Now: Recall atomic structure (protons, neutrons, electrons) and electron shell rules (2,8,8).
Explicit Instruction · 10 min
Teacher Explanation: Using the 'Explainer' to define covalent bonding and drawing H2 and Cl2.
Guided Practice · 10 min
Guided Practice: Drawing dot-and-cross diagrams for H2O and CH4 on mini-whiteboards.
Independent Practice · 20 min
Independent Differentiated Worksheets: Students work through Support, Core, or Stretch tasks.
Review · 8 min
Peer Marking: Use the answer key to review worksheet answers.
Closure · 7 min
Plenary: Multiple-choice quiz to check for misconceptions.
Key vocabulary
- Covalent Bond
- A bond formed when atoms share a pair of electrons.
- Molecule
- A group of two or more atoms held together by covalent bonds.
- Dot and Cross Diagram
- A diagram showing the arrangement of outer shell electrons in a molecule.
- Intermolecular Forces
- Weak forces of attraction between individual molecules.
- Double Bond
- A bond where two pairs of electrons (four total) are shared.
Core worksheet (first questions)
- Describe the forces of attraction that hold a covalent bond together.
- Explain why Chlorine (Cl2) forms a single bond but Oxygen (O2) forms a double bond.
- Explain why simple molecular substances like CO2 have low boiling points.
- Why do covalent compounds not conduct electricity?
Quiz (sample)
1. What is a covalent bond?
- A. A shared pair of electrons
- B. Transfer of electrons
- C. A sea of delocalised electrons
- D. Attraction between oppositely charged ions
2. Covalent bonding usually occurs between...
- A. Metals only
- B. A metal and a non-metal
- C. Non-metals only
- D. Noble gases only
3. Why do atoms share electrons?
- A. To become more reactive
- B. To achieve a full outer electron shell
- C. To gain a positive charge
- D. To lose all their electrons
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