The main difference between electrovalency and covalency is that electrovalency is the transfer of electrons between atoms to create oppositely charged ions and form ionic bonds, while covalency involves the sharing of electrons between atoms to establish covalent bonds.
Electrovalency and covalency are fundamental concepts in chemistry that describe how atoms interact to form chemical bonds, with electrovalency involving electron transfer and ionic bonds, while covalency revolves around electron sharing and the creation of covalent bonds.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Electrovalency
– Definition, Features, Applications
2. What is Covalency
– Definition, Features, Applications
3. Similarities Between Electrovalency and Covalency
– Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Electrovalency and Covalency
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Electrovalency, Covalency
What is Electrovalency
Electrovalency explains how atoms with very different electronegativities form chemical bonds. This type of bonding is crucial for creating ionic compounds and is vital for understanding how many substances behave in our daily lives. Ionic bonding happens when one atom gives away one or more electrons to another atom. This exchange leads to the creation of oppositely charged ions: a positively charged ion (called a cation) and a negatively charged ion (called an anion). The attraction between these oppositely charged ions holds the compound together, resulting in the formation of an ionic compound.
Ionic bonds usually occur between elements with very different electronegativities. The most common situation involves a metal bonding with a nonmetal. Metals, found on the left side of the periodic table, have low electronegativities, while nonmetals, on the right side, have higher electronegativities. This difference in electronegativity causes electrons to move from the metal to the nonmetal. For example, think about sodium chloride (NaCl), which we commonly call table salt. Sodium (Na) has one electron in its outer shell and a low electronegativity. Chlorine (Cl), on the other hand, has seven electrons in its outer shell and a high electronegativity. So, sodium easily gives away its one electron to chlorine, forming a sodium cation (Na+) and a chloride anion (Cl-). The attraction between Na+ and Cl- creates the ionic bond that holds sodium chloride together.
Role of Electrovalency
Electrovalency plays a significant role in inorganic chemistry, particularly in forming important compounds like metal oxides, metal halides, and salts. These compounds find applications in various industries, such as catalysts, construction materials, and fertilizers. In biological systems, electrovalent bonds are essential for maintaining electrical balance within cells and enabling nerve signals through interactions between positively charged metal ions (like calcium, potassium, and sodium) and negatively charged ions (such as chloride, phosphate, and bicarbonate). Natural minerals like quartz, feldspar, and calcite are built from ionic compounds, and understanding electrovalency helps us grasp mineral formation, decay, and Earth’s structural changes. Ionic liquids, unique liquid salts with low melting points, are gaining attention for eco-friendly uses as solvents and conductors.
What is Covalency
Covalency, also known as covalent bonding, is a fundamental concept in chemistry that describes the type of chemical bonding that occurs between atoms when they share electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration. Covalent bonds are ubiquitous in nature and are the basis for the formation of molecules, which make up a vast array of substances, including the air we breathe, the water we drink, and the molecules that constitute our bodies.
Covalent bonding occurs when two or more atoms share electrons to satisfy the octet rule—the tendency of atoms to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration with eight valence electrons. By sharing electrons, atoms achieve a noble gas configuration, similar to the inert gases in the last column of the periodic table, which are known for their high stability. In a covalent bond, two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. Each atom contributes one or more electrons to the shared pair, creating a bond that connects them.
Covalent bonds can be classified based on the number of electron pairs shared between atoms. A single bond involves the sharing of one pair of electrons, a double bond involves two pairs of electrons, and a triple bond involves three pairs of electrons.
The length of a covalent bond depends on the size of the atoms involved and the number of shared electron pairs. Generally, shorter bonds are stronger because the nuclei of the atoms involved are closer together, leading to a stronger electrostatic attraction between the shared electrons and the nuclei.
Similarities Between Electrovalency and Covelancy
- Both electrovalency and covalency lead to the formation of chemical compounds.
- Both types of bonding involve interactions between electrons.
- The driving force behind both electrovalency and covalency is achieving stable electron configurations.
Difference Between Electrovalency and Covalency
Definition
Electrovalency is a concept that explains how atoms with very different electronegativities form chemical bonds, while covalency is a concept that describes the type of chemical bonding that occurs between atoms when they share electrons to achieve a more stable electron configuration.
Electron Transfer
Electrovalency involves electron transfer between atoms, forming ions and creating an ionic bond. Meanwhile, Covelancy involves electron sharing for stable electron configuration, resulting in a covalent bond.
Bond Formation
Electrovalent bonding forms ionic compounds with a lattice of cations and anions held by electrostatic attraction, while covalent bonding forms discrete molecules linked by covalent bonds.
Participating Atoms
Electrovalent bonding occurs between atoms with differing electronegativities, often metal and nonmetal, whereas covalent bonding occurs between atoms with similar electronegativities, typically nonmetals.
Atom Behavior in Bonding
In electrovalency, one atom loses electrons to become a cation, while the other gains electrons to become an anion. However, in covalency, electrons are shared, but there is no formation of ions.
Electronegativity Difference
Electrovalency arises from significant electronegativity differences between atoms, while covalency occurs when atoms have comparable electronegativities.
Conclusion
The main difference between electrovalency and covalency is that electrovalency is the transfer of electrons between atoms to create oppositely charged ions and form ionic bonds, while covalency involves the sharing of electrons between atoms to establish covalent bonds.
Reference:
1. “Define electrovalency.” Byju’s.
2. “What is covalency?” Byju’s.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Ionic Bonding LiF” By JackFromReedsburg – Own work (CC0) via Commons Wikimedia
2. “Covalent bond hydrogen” By Jacek FH – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia
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