Question

What is bonding and why is it important?

Answer 1

1. Bonding is defined as a link formed between any two atoms, molecules, or compounds either by sharing or transferring electrons.
2. It is an attractive force that binds or holds the atoms or ions together.
3. Thus, when a bond is formed between any two chemical compounds it is known as chemical Bonding.
4. Bonds are of the following types - Covalent bonds, Ionic bonds, Hydrogen bonds, etc.
5. Ionic bond- Ionic bonds are formed when two opposite ions interact and form the bond. For example, In Sodium Chloride ($\mathrm{NaCl}$), there is the transfer of an electron takes place from the Sodium atom ($\mathrm{Na}$) to the Chlorine atom ($\mathrm{Cl}$) thus, forming an ionic bond.
   $$\begin{gathered} \mathrm{NaCl}\left(\mathrm{s}\right)\to {\mathrm{Na}}^{+}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right)+\hspace{0.17em}{\mathrm{Cl}}^{-}\left(\mathrm{aq}\right) \\ \mathrm{Sodium}\mathrm{ion}\mathrm{Chloride}\mathrm{ion} \end{gathered}$$
6. Covalent bond- When the bond is formed by the mutual sharing of electrons forms a covalent bond. Example- In Methane (${\mathrm{CH}}_4$), there is sharing of electrons takes place mutually by both Carbon and Hydrogen atoms thus, forming a covalent bond.
7. Hydrogen bond- When the Hydrogen is attracted towards the negative atom forms a Hydrogen bond. It is a weaker bond in comparison to ionic and covalent bonds. It is a type of polar covalent bonding between Oxygen and Hydrogen. Example- Water molecules are bound together by hydrogen bonding.
8. Chemical bonding is important as the bonding results in the formation of new compounds and due to which a large number of compounds are known in organic chemistry.