Ionic and Covalent Bonding – NaCl, MgO, H₂, O₂, H₂O, CH₄, NH₃
Integrated ScienceAtoms, Elements & BondingAges 12–13
Use it with your class: students open it from a link or a QR code, with no account needed.
Next in Atoms, Elements & Bonding
Two (or more) atoms are drawn with their electron shells far apart; drag across the screen or press Run to bring them together. For NaCl and MgO, the outer-shell electrons of the metal transfer to the non-metal, forming a positive ion and a negative ion that attract each other (ionic bonding). For H₂, O₂, H₂O, CH₄ and NH₃, the atoms share electrons to form shared electron pairs (covalent bonding). The number of outer-shell electrons after bonding, matching the stable noble-gas configuration, is shown right away.
Lesson: Introduction to Chemical Bonding; Molecules, Elements and Compounds
What it shows
Atoms bond so that each ends up with a stable outer shell like a noble gas: 2 electrons for helium, 8 for neon or argon. In ionic bonding a metal atom loses its outer electrons to a non-metal atom; sodium gives one electron to chlorine and magnesium gives two to oxygen, producing ions of opposite charge held together by electrostatic attraction in a lattice. In covalent bonding non-metal atoms share pairs of electrons: one pair in H₂, a double bond in O₂, and single bonds in H₂O, CH₄ and NH₃, where nitrogen keeps one lone pair. The 3D view adds the real molecular shapes and bond angles.
How to use
Choose a Substance, press Run and read the stage messages as the atoms approach; drag sideways on the picture to replay the process slowly and stop at the moment of transfer or sharing. Compare NaCl with MgO to see how many electrons move, then compare H₂, O₂ and H₂O by counting shared pairs. Lower the Approach speed for discussion and switch off Show inner electron shells so only the outer electrons remain. In the 3D view, rotate the models to compare shapes.
Parameters you can change
- Substance NaCl – sodium chloride (ionic), MgO – magnesium oxide (ionic), H₂ – hydrogen (covalent), O₂ – oxygen (double bond), H₂O – water, CH₄ – methane, NH₃ – ammonia
- Approach speed 0.2–3
- Show inner electron shells
- Auto-run on open
Questions to explore
- How many electrons does magnesium transfer to oxygen in MgO, and what charges do the two ions end up with?
- How many shared electron pairs does NH₃ contain, and how many outer-shell electrons does nitrogen have after bonding?
- Why does ionic bonding usually form between a metal and a non-metal, while two non-metals share electrons instead?
