UNDERSTANDING CHEMICAL BONDING

SCIENTIFIC CONCEPT:
Newton Lewis established the basis of what is known today about chemical bonding. We now
know that there are two main types of chemical bonding; ionic bonding and covalent bonding. In
ionic bonding, electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another. In the process of
either losing or gaining negatively charged electrons, the reacting atoms form ions. The
oppositely charged ions are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces, which are the basis of
the ionic bond. The second major type of atomic bonding occurs when atoms share electrons.
As opposed to ionic bonding in which a complete transfer of electrons occurs, covalent bonding
occurs when two (or more) elements share electrons. Covalent bonding occurs because the atoms
in the compound have a similar tendency for electrons (generally to gain electrons). This most
commonly occurs when two nonmetals bond together. Because both of the nonmetals will want
to gain electrons, the elements involved will share electrons in an effort to fill their valence
shells. Unlike ionic compounds, covalent molecules exist as true molecules. Because electrons
are shared in covalent molecules, no full ionic charges are formed. Thus covalent molecules are
not strongly attracted to one another. As a result, covalent molecules move about freely and tend
to exist as liquids or gases at room temperature.

The solubility of different compounds

Sugar and salt are both white crystalline solids commonly found in the home. What types of
bonding exist in these compounds?
Unique feature of This Activity
By using computer simulation, the manipulated variables can be controlled easily and responding
variables can be recorded accurately. The variables are:
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Manipulated variables : type of compounds

Responding variables: the solubility and the electrical conductivity of compounds

Constant variables : water

The students are allowed to study or try things that would be difficult or impossible to do in the
laboratory.

ENGAGE
Instruction
Fill the three beakers with 50 ml of water. Label the beaker with beaker A, beaker B and beaker
C. Add two spatula of salt powder into beaker A and sugar powder into beaker B.

1. Predict what happen when salt powder is added to the water?

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2. Will the result be the same to the sugar powder?
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3. What would the simulation have shown if oleic acid, C18H34O2 is added into beaker C?
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4. How is their dissolving process different? Explain why these differences exist.

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EMPOWER
STEPS
1. Ensure that teacher has an internet connection
2. Internet access to: http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/sugar-and-salt-solutions.
3. In this simulation, the student will explore how the conductivity tester works, how to
shake the shaker, how to add water to the container and how the evaporation slide works.
RESULTS

QUESTIONS
1. What happen to the light bulb if we add salt into the water?
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2.

How to make the light bulb glow as brightly as possible?

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3. Explore what happens to the sugar and salt solutions with the evaporation slider. Observe
the light bulb during the evaporation process for a solution.
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4. Classify sugar and salt as either an electrolyte or a nonelectrolyte.

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ENHANCE
Applications of chemical bonding in our life
1. Medicine

The photo shows the variety type of medicines. The medicines may exist in liquid and
solid forms. Why we have to drink the water when we consume the medicines?
Medicines are example of ionic bonding compounds, so it dissolves in the water.
Hence, it helps our body to absorb the medicine.
2. Electrical Plugs and sockets

The photo shows the plug socket that made of plastic. The electric current can flow
through it safely. Explain why?
Plastic is example of covalent bonding compound, so it cannot conduct electricity.
Hence it is an excellent insulator in electricity.

REFERENCES
Anthony Carpi(2003). Chemical Bonding Visionlearning Vol. CHE-1 (7). Retrieved
April 2015, from http://www.visionlearning.com/en/library/Chemistry/1/ChemicalBonding/55/reading
Chua Kah Heng. (2015). Modul Kimia Tingkatan 4, Selangor: Pan Asia Publications.
Low Swee Neo. (2005). Chemistry Form 4, Selangor: Penerbitan Abadi Ilmu.
Salt and Sugar Simulation. (2012). Retrieved April 2015, from
http://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/sugar-and-salt-solutions
V.Ryan. (2010). Plastics- Questions and Answers. Retrieved April 2015, from
http://www.technologystudent.com/joints/plastic2.html