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University of South Carolina-Columbia
CHEM 333 Chapter 11 Vocab: Covalent
Bonding Questions and Answers 2026 Latest
Update
bent Ans: Molecules with a domain formula of AX₂E or AX₂E₂ will have this
molecular shape. The bond angles will be less than 120˚ for AX₂E and less
than 109.5˚for AX₂E₂.
bond angle Ans: The angle formed between any three atoms connected by
bonds.
bond dipole Ans: An arrow with a positive end (+-->) that is drawn above
polar bonds; The arrow points in the direction of the more electronegative
atom to show which way the electrons are being pulled; the positive tail
shows that the less electronegative atoms will be partially positive.
bond length Ans: The length of a bond, usually measured in picometers
(pm). Triple bonds are shorter than single bonds because the atoms must
get closer so more of their orbitals can overlap to accommodate the sharing
of 6 electrons versus only 2 electrons for the single bond.
covalent bond Ans: A bond formed from the sharing of a pair of electrons;
This is generally the type of bond formed between nonmetallic atoms where
the difference in electronegativities is less than 1.7.
domain formula Ans: A formula that helps to predict the shape of a
molecule based on the number of electron domains and the VSEPR theory;
AX₄E₂ is an example of this type of formula. The "A" stands for the central
atom. The "X₄" refers to 4 terminal atoms attached to the central atom with
single, double, or triple bonds. The "E₂" refers to 2 lone pairs of electrons
(four electrons) attached to the central atom. Since there are 6 electron
domains (4 X's and 2 E's) attached to the central atom, VSEPR theory would
predict a domain shape of octahedral. When the two E's are taken into
account, this molecule would have a square planar molecular shape.
© 2026 All rights reserved
University of South Carolina-Columbia
CHEM 333 Chapter 11 Vocab: Covalent
Bonding Questions and Answers 2026 Latest
Update
bent Ans: Molecules with a domain formula of AX₂E or AX₂E₂ will have this
molecular shape. The bond angles will be less than 120˚ for AX₂E and less
than 109.5˚for AX₂E₂.
bond angle Ans: The angle formed between any three atoms connected by
bonds.
bond dipole Ans: An arrow with a positive end (+-->) that is drawn above
polar bonds; The arrow points in the direction of the more electronegative
atom to show which way the electrons are being pulled; the positive tail
shows that the less electronegative atoms will be partially positive.
bond length Ans: The length of a bond, usually measured in picometers
(pm). Triple bonds are shorter than single bonds because the atoms must
get closer so more of their orbitals can overlap to accommodate the sharing
of 6 electrons versus only 2 electrons for the single bond.
covalent bond Ans: A bond formed from the sharing of a pair of electrons;
This is generally the type of bond formed between nonmetallic atoms where
the difference in electronegativities is less than 1.7.
domain formula Ans: A formula that helps to predict the shape of a
molecule based on the number of electron domains and the VSEPR theory;
AX₄E₂ is an example of this type of formula. The "A" stands for the central
atom. The "X₄" refers to 4 terminal atoms attached to the central atom with
single, double, or triple bonds. The "E₂" refers to 2 lone pairs of electrons
(four electrons) attached to the central atom. Since there are 6 electron
domains (4 X's and 2 E's) attached to the central atom, VSEPR theory would
predict a domain shape of octahedral. When the two E's are taken into
account, this molecule would have a square planar molecular shape.
© 2026 All rights reserved
