Lesson 1: Introduction to Chemical Bonding

This lesson lays the groundwork for understanding why atoms combine to form molecules. It begins with the fundamental question: why do chemical bonds form? The answer lies in the quest for stability, typically by achieving a stable electronic configuration similar to that of the noble gases.

• Kossel-Lewis Approach to Chemical Bonding: This introduces the concept of a Lewis symbol for representing valence electrons and the octet rule, which states that atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve eight electrons in their outermost shell. This lesson will also cover the formation of ionic bonds (by complete transfer of electrons) and covalent bonds (by sharing of electrons) using Lewis structures.
• Types of Bonds: A clear distinction is made between ionic and covalent bonds based on the electronegativity difference between the atoms. The lesson also introduces the concept of a coordinate bond or dative bond, where both shared electrons come from a single atom.