CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Basically, an atom is made up of a positively charged nucleus surrounded by negatively charged cloud of electrons which are held to the nucleus by electrostatic attraction. The nucleus itself y consists of electrically neutral neutrons and positively charged protons. The atomic number of an element is the number of electrons or protons in the atom.

Schematic Representation of the Bohr atom

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Comparison of the: (a) Bohr (b) Wave-Mechanical atom models in terms of electron distribution

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

The bonds between the atoms or molecules in a material have a strong influence on such properties as strength and stiffness. For this reason, it is important to know the characteristics of , p different bond types. Simplified model of distortion of interatomic bonds under mechanical strain: (a) Neutral, relaxed or strain-free position. (b) Material strained in tension, atoms further apart, material gets longer. (c) Material strained in compression, atoms closer together, material gets shorter.

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Ionic bonds form when a cation (positively charged ion) transfers an electron to an anion (negatively charged ion). Ionic compounds are generally crystalline in nature and highly soluble in water. g y y g y Because of the strong electrostatic binding force, they are rigid and they have high melting points and high boiling points.

Ionic compounds are generally non-conductors of heat and electricity.

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Covalent bonding is a sharing of electrons between two atoms. These bonds are formed by overlapping electron orbitals, resulting in the lowering of the electron energy Covalent bonds energy. are localized and directional in nature and therefore, form definite angles between the bonds.

Covalently bonded molecules are generally soft and volatile, insoluble i water, and i l bl in d considered to be good insulators.

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Metallic bonding is similar to covalent bonding. Electrons are shared but they are not bound to individual or to pairs of atoms as in covalent bonds. Instead these valence electrons are free to bonds move throughout the entire metal, making metals such good conductors. Ion Cores

Since metallic bonds can exist only among a large aggregate of atoms, these types of bonds yp are delocalized and nondirectional in nature.

Sea of Valence Electrons

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Van der Waals bonds are weak secondary bonds which can be found between covalently bonded chains of polymers and are also formed when molecules undergo polarization (a separation of the charges in the molecule).

Schematic illustration of van der Waals bonding between two dipoles dipoles.
Atomic or Molecular Dipoles

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Hydrogen bonding is a special case of Van der Waals bonding from electrostatic interactions between hydrogen atoms and O, F or N atoms in molecules containing highly polar C-O H F or H-N C O, H-F H N bonds .

Schematic representation of hydrogen bonding in hydrogen fluoride (HF).

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding

Van der Waals bonding (solid argon)

Ionic bonding (sodium chloride)

Metallic bonding (sodium metal)

Covalent bonding (diamond)

CIVE 202 Construction Materials

Atomic Structure & Bonding