Chemistry 11 · Chemistry · Lesson 7.5
Valence electrons, Lewis structures and chemical bonding
- Level
- Grade 11
- Reading time
- 14 min reading
- Review
- Last reviewed 2026-09-03
- Standard
- Accuracy standard
- Errata
Abstract
Ionic, covalent and metallic bonding; drawing Lewis structures.
Concept preview
What you will be able to do
- 01Explain why atoms form chemical bonds
- 02Distinguish ionic, covalent and metallic bonding
- 03Draw simple Lewis structures and predict bond type
Atoms bond because a bonded arrangement is more stable — lower in energy — than separate atoms. The noble gases, with full outer shells, are almost unreactive, and other atoms tend to gain, lose or share electrons to reach the same stable, filled-shell arrangement. This drive toward a full valence shell (often eight electrons, the 'octet') explains why and how atoms combine.
School Plan
Valence electrons, Lewis structures and chemical bonding
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