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Bonding and the Periodic Table

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Lesson Focus

Bonding and the Periodic Table

Physical Science

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You get to expand your understanding of the bonds that hold molecules together with a focus on ionic and covalent bonds and the use of electronegativity to determine which occurs.

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Now You Know


  • Explain the nature of covalent bonds.
  • Explain the nature of ionic bonds.
  • Determine how an element bonds according to its location on the Periodic Table.

Everything You'll Have Covered

What is unique about the elements in Group 8A on the Periodic Table?

~ The elements in Group 8A are monatomic gases and do not usually form chemical bonds with other elements. Elements in Group 8A are stable elements even though they are nonmetallic. This group is also known as the noble gases.

What do other elements on the Periodic Table do to become more stable?

~ Other elements on the Periodic Table try to become more stable by taking on the same electron configuration as the noble gases. Metals, including Group 1A elements, except for hydrogen, Group 2A elements, Group 3A elements, except for boron, and Group B elements, lose electrons. Nonmetals, except for the noble gases, gain electrons. Most elements in Groups 4A, 5A, 6A, and 7A are nonmetals.

What are ionic bonds?

~ Ionic bonds are bonds that are formed between metal atoms, which give up electrons to form positively charged ions, and nonmetal atoms, which gain electrons to become negatively charged ions. These oppositely charged ions attract each other and form ionic bonds.

What are covalent bonds?

~ Covalent bonds are formed between nonmetal atoms by sharing pairs of electrons between atoms of the same kind or between other nonmetal atoms to become more stable.

Which types of elements are able to form ionic or covalent bonds? Which types of elements are not able to form ionic or covalent bonds?

~ Nonmetal atoms can form covalent bonds with other nonmetal atoms. Metal atoms can form ionic bonds by giving electrons to nonmetal atoms to become more stable. Metals cannot form ionic or covalent bonds with each other, however.

Tutorial Details

Approximate Time 3 Minutes
Pre-requisite Concepts Students should have a general understanding of the following terms: alloys, bonding, and bonds.
Course Physical Science
Type of Tutorial Animation
Key Vocabulary chemical bonding, metal, metalloid