Session 3: Chemical bonding

Introduction

So far in this course you have seen a number of examples of atoms being joined together in some form, this may be to form molecules or extended structures or ionic solids. But what is the ‘glue’ holding the atoms together?

One thing you do know is that electrons are involved; specifically the outer (or valence) electrons of atoms, and this is the starting point to enable you to look more closely at the nature of the chemical bond.