Assignment: Covalent Bonding

​Carbon and Hydrogen

Carbon and hydrogen form the molecule methane, or CH₄.

• The carbon atom satisfies the octet rule because it now has 8 valence electrons.

• Each hydrogen now has 2 valence electrons. Remember that hydrogen is an exception to the octet rule. Hydrogen is stable with 2 valence electrons.

The structural formula for methane substitutes lines for the shared pairs of electrons.

​Oxygen and Iodine

Oxygen can form 2 bonds to create pairs for its 2 lone electrons. The chemical formula of the molecule is OI₂

Both of the models shown are correct Lewis diagrams for this molecule. There are other ways to draw this model, as well.

​Sulfur and Fluorine

Sulfur has 6 valence electrons, so it will form 2 covalent bonds to satisfy the octet rule. The chemical formula of the molecule is SF₂

Both of the models shown are correct Lewis diagrams for this molecule.