How do single covalent bonds form?

Question

Ella Allen · Accepted Answer

The direct overlap and sharing of electrons between two atoms of roughly equal electro negativity

An example is the formation of bonds in Methane. The Carbon atom hybridizes it four valance electrons into 4 equal # sp^3# bonds. The Hydrogen has 1 valance electron in a 1 s orbital. The 1s hydrogen orbital overlaps with one of the 4 #sp^3# orbitals of the Carbon. The two atoms both share the electron density of the two electrons in the covalent bond formed by the overlap of the two original orbitals. With two electrons in its outer valance shell, hydrogen becomes stable and resembles helium thanks to this new bond, which gives hydrogen the density of two electrons. Carbon can access the density of eight electrons by forming four covalent bonds with four hydrogen atoms. When carbon has eight electrons in its outer valance shell, it becomes stable in a manner akin to that of neon. Atoms can attain increased stability through the direct sharing of electron density through the overlap of electron orbitals.

Brooklyn Barber · Answer

undefined Single covalent bonds form when two atoms share a pair of electrons, with each atom contributing one electron to the bond. This sharing of electrons allows both atoms to achieve a full outer electron shell, typically consisting of eight electrons for stability.