Entry 1- More about bonding

First Official Post (For Chemistry Journal)

My research question for this chemistry journal will be about the different types of bonding and where they can be found. I will be basically covering on four types, mainly the hydrogen bond, covalent bond, ionic bond and last but not least, the metallic bond. So, what exactly is bonding? It is not the human bonding whereby you develop a close, intrapersonal relationship with your family and friends we are talking about.

Chemical bonding is the process responsible for the attractive interactions between atoms and molecules and gives stability to chemical compounds. The things around us like molecules and crystals are actually having their structures due to the bonds which are holding them together. Molecules are formed because atoms bond together.

Each different bond exerts different amount of energy on the atoms they hold and requires different amount of energy to break them. Covalent and ionic bonds are said to be ‘stronger; as compared to hydrogen bond. Just like magnets, the negatively-charged electrons will attract the positively-charged protons. If an electron is placed in between two nuclei, it will be attracted to both of them. A most stable configuration of nuclei and electrons is one whereby the electrons spent more time in between the nuclei. The nuclei, due to the electrons, will therefore be attracted to each other.

All the bonds can actually be explained by the quantum theory. Simplification rules like octet rule and VSEPR rule help chemists to predict the strength, directionality and polarity of bonds. Electrostatics is used to describe bond polarities and the effects they have on chemical substances. One of the more complicated theories is the valence bond theory.

A little more about the theories. Valence bond theory was formulated in the year, 1927. It states that a chemical bond is formed when two valence electrons hold two nuclei together. Years later, Linus Pauling built on this theory and published an article: On the nature of chemical bond. He had three new rules. 1939, Pauling built on that article and wrote a textbook: On the nature of the chemical bond. That book aids chemists to understand the impact of quantum theory on chemistry. Valence bond theory had been implemented in large computer programs as well.

Below are the research question and an overview of what will be covered in all the entries.

What are the different types of bonding and where they can be found?

Entry 1. More about bonding
Entry 2. Hydrogen bond
Entry 3. Covalent bond
Entry 4. Ionic Bond
Entry 5. Metallic Bonding
Entry 6. Conclusion
As we can all see, bonding can actually be seen in our everyday lives and that their theories are even applied on computer programs. Bonding is what brings atoms or molecules together and forming a new molecule or product. Different bonding can have different amount of strength and some may be easier to break than others. I will be talking about the hydrogen bond in my next entry.