(g) Covalent bonding

Know that a covalent bond is formed between atoms by the sharing of a pair of electrons

Understand covalent bonds in terms of electrostatic attractions

Understand how to use dot-and-cross diagrams to represent covalent bonds in:

• diatomic molecules, including hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, halogens and hydrogen halides
• inorganic molecules including water, ammonia and carbon dioxide
• organic molecules containing up to two carbon atoms, including methane, ethane, ethene and those containing halogen atoms.

Explain why simple molecular substances are gases, liquids or low-melting solids in terms of intermolecular forces of attraction.

Explain why the melting and boiling points of substances with simple molecular structures increase, in general, with increasing relative molecular mass

Explain why substances with giant covalent structures are solids with high melting and boiling points

Explain how the structures of diamond, graphite and C60 fullerene influence their physical properties, including electrical conductivity and hardness

Know that covalent compounds do not usually conduct electricity