Chemical Bonding

All atoms seek to be in a stable ( octet ) state always. Like being self sufficient. So atoms are always trying to attain that state by all means, one way or the other.

You know how humans, want to be self sufficient at all times, so do atoms too.

One of the ways they do this is by bonding. There are a couple of chemical bondings but today I want to treat Electrovalent bonding. This type of bonding is usually between metals an non metals. Here an atom donates an electron or more and the other accepts it thereby both of them attain an octet ( 8 ) state and become stable.

When this happens, a strong electrostatic bond is formed between the two atoms. This is also called an ` ionic bond. ` & it Is a very strong bond.

It is easier for an atom to loose one electron than two and so on, not to talk about loosing seven electrons to attain an octet state.

So also is it easier for an atom to accept one electron to attain octet state than many.

The group 1 elements ( the alkali metals which are extremely reactive ) have one electron on their outermost shell, and are very ready to donate to another atom, so as to attain octet state.

At the other end of the periodic table, there are elements which have 7 electrons on their outermost shell, and are looking for one electron to make it eight to become stable. These are called the Halogens and they belong to group V11

An example of a Group 1 element with only one electron is Sodium ( Na ). An example of an element with 7 electrons is Chlorine ( Cl ). The Halogens are non metals and belong to group V11.

Here, Sodium ( Na ), donates 1 electron to Chlorine who has 7. An ionic bond is formed with strong electrostatic attraction. A salt ( the common salt we use in our homes ) is formed called sodium chloride (NaCl). Both atoms have attained the octet state, & both are now stable and everyone is content and happy.

Sodium now has 8 electrons, the original one it had, plus the 7 from Chlorine. Chlorine is happy because, it also has 8 electrons, it`s former 7, plus 1 from Na. Happy ever after.

There are other types of bonding like covalent etc.