What does covalence mean?
Covalence is a fundamental concept in chemistry that describes the sharing of electron pairs between atoms in a molecule. It is a measure of the number of electron pairs shared between two atoms, which determines the strength and stability of the chemical bond. Understanding covalence is crucial in explaining the structure and properties of molecules. The term covalence is closely related to covalent bonding, where atoms share one or more pairs of electrons to form a chemical bond. This concept is essential in chemistry and physics, as it helps predict the behavior of molecules and their interactions.
nounCovalence refers to a measure of the shared electron pairs between atoms in a molecule, particularly in chemistry. It describes the number of electron pairs shared between two atoms.
- A measure of shared electron pairs in chemistry
- A description of atomic bonding
"The covalence of the carbon-oxygen bond in carbon dioxide is two."
"The covalence of the carbon-carbon bond in ethane is one."
"The concept of covalence helps explain the stability of molecules."
The plural form is used when referring to multiple types of covalence or in a general sense.
"The covalences of the different bonds in the molecule were calculated using quantum mechanics."
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of covalence
The term covalence originates from the Latin words 'co' meaning 'together' and 'valentia' meaning 'strength'. It is related to the concept of valence, which refers to the combining capacity of an atom. The term covalence has its roots in the early 20th century, when chemists began to understand the sharing of electrons in chemical bonding.
Usage notes
This term is primarily used in chemistry and physics to describe atomic bonding.