Learn basic chemistry

[JimWelsh]

What should we know next Randy?

Why do atoms attach to other atoms making molecules. Is this something to with magnetic attraction?

Randy gave a very understandable and concise answer, but if Randy is going to have to use one of those tiny little Salifert white spoons to feed answers, this is going to take a very long time. In response to the quoted question, and just two clicks away from the link I gave above: http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Theoretical_Chemistry/Chemical_Bonding

 

[JimWelsh]

Whether you form a covalent bond or an ionic bond between two atoms depends on how much the two atoms differ in their desire for electrons.

Very helpful answer, if I know how strongly different atoms desire electrons. How can I tell how strongly a given atom desires electrons?

 

[Cory]

For a covalent bond (like between carbon atoms) they share electrons between them. The shared electrons are the glue between atoms.

For ionic bonds, electrons transfer from one to the other, leaving one positively charged and the other negatively charged, and then the opposite electric charges attract. So if you start with a sodium atom (Na) and a chlorine atom (Cl), an electron jumps from the sodium, leaving it as the Na+ ion and goes to the chloride, leavign it as the Cl- ion. THen those are attracted to make salt crystals.

Whether you form a covalent bond or an ionic bond between two atoms depends on how much the two atoms differ in their desire for electrons. Chlorine loves to get one additional electron and sodium loves to give up one electron, so they form ionic bonds. Carbon doesn't care that much either way, so shares with other atoms like carbon, oxygen, nitrogen, etc.

Is it useful when performing chemical processes to know which bomding is taking place?

So in an ionic bond, when they are bonded and complete their transforation of electron exchange, they could be consided to be polarized. Like a magnet?

 

[Cory]

Randy gave a very understandable and concise answer, but if Randy is going to have to use one of those tiny little Salifert white spoons to feed answers, this is going to take a very long time. In response to the quoted question, and just two clicks away from the link I gave above: http://chemwiki.ucdavis.edu/Theoretical_Chemistry/Chemical_Bonding

Thats how i learn. One step at a time. But thanks for that link. And assuming by the size of the answer he replies with he doesnt mind.