Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Octet Rule

Atoms tend to combine so that each atom has eight electrons in its valence shell, giving it the same electronic configuration as a noble gas.

Ionic Bond

A chemical bond formed by the complete transfer of valence electrons between atoms, resulting in oppositely charged ions held together by electrostatic forces.

Covalent Bond

A bond formed by the mutual sharing of one or more pairs of electrons between two atoms to achieve a stable octet.

VSEPR Theory

Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion theory states that electron pairs around a central atom arrange themselves to minimize repulsion, determining molecular geometry.

Hybridization

The concept of mixing atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals of equivalent energy, which explains the shapes of polyatomic molecules like methane and ethene.

Molecular Orbital Theory (MOT)

A theory describing molecules in terms of atomic orbitals combining to form delocalized molecular orbitals, helping predict bond order and magnetic properties.