THE EXAMS POINTBonding models: follow the electrons
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Bonding models: follow the electrons
01 · Ionic bonding
Electrostatic attraction involving oppositely charged ions in an extended structure.
02 · Covalent bonding
Atoms share electron density; many form discrete molecules, others form networks.
03 · Metallic bonding
Delocalised electrons contribute to bonding across a metal structure.
Connect the branches
These are models that emphasise different distributions of electrons; many real bonds have mixed character.
Avoid the exam trap
A polar bond does not necessarily make an entire molecule polar: geometry matters.
Test yourself: Why can CO₂ be non-polar overall despite its polar bonds?
Its linear symmetric geometry causes the two bond-dipole vectors to cancel.
A concise revision aid with simplified connections. It supports the full chapter and primary references; it does not replace them.