How do chemical bonds form and break?

 How Do Chemical Bonds Form and Break?

• Chemical bonds form and break when atoms gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a more stable state—usually a full outer shell (like the noble gases).

🧪 1. Bond Formation

• Atoms bond to lower their energy and become more stable. This involves valence electrons (outermost electrons).

🧲 Types of Chemical Bonds:

• Type of Bond How It Forms Example
• Ionic Transfer of electrons from one atom to another NaCl (salt)
• Covalent Sharing of electrons between atoms H₂O (water)
• Metallic Free-flowing electrons among metal atoms Fe (iron)

💥 2. Bond Breaking

• To break a chemical bond, energy must be added to overcome the attraction between atoms.
• Endothermic: Energy is absorbed to break bonds.
• Exothermic: Energy is released when new bonds form.

🔄 Bond Cycle:

• Bonds break in the reactants → needs energy.
• Atoms rearrange
• New bonds form in the products → releases energy.

🧠 Quick Summary:

• Bond formation = atoms become more stable (release energy)
• Bond breaking = requires energy input
• Bond changes drive all chemical reactions