Why do Atoms Combine

  • Unlike noble gasses - most atoms - do not have duplet/octet configuration. Noble gasses are monoatomic. 
  • Outermost shells - may undergo changes to allow them to achieve stable electronic configuration of a noble gas gain, loss, sharing of electrons)

Ionic Bonding

Ionic Bonding


Covalent Bonding

Covalent Bonding


Metallic Bonding

Metallic Bonding


Answering Techniques

Describe the bonding in sodium

  1. Draw diagram
  2. In the giant metallic lattice structure, each sodium atom (Na) loses 1 of its  valence electrons and becomes a positively charged sodium (Na+) ion. These valence electrons do not belong to any metal atom and are said to be delocalised. These electrons move freely among the Na+ ions in the giant metallic lattice structure and are collectively known as the sea of delocalised electrons.

Electrostatic forces can only occur between opposite charged