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Two atoms each short of a full shell can solve it together — by sharing a pair of electrons that belongs to both. That shared pair is a covalent bond.
What is a covalent bond?
- A bond formed by sharing a pair of electrons between two atoms.
- The shared pair attracts both nuclei , holding the atoms together.
- One shared pair = a single bond (e.g. H—H); two shared pairs = a double bond (e.g. O=O).
Important Definitions
- Covalent bond — a bond formed by sharing a pair of electrons between two atoms.
- Single bond — a covalent bond formed by sharing one pair of electrons, as in H—H.
- Double bond — a covalent bond formed by sharing two pairs of electrons, as in O=O.
