How do two atoms share an electron?

Question

Like what happens? Does it go in a figure eight or what?

Answer 1

First of all, when dealing with electrons orbiting atoms, you have to use quantum mechanics. To think of them as simple point particles going in loops or figure eights is simply incorrect. More accurate is to imagine a probability cloud around the atom. When two atoms share an electron, this cloud smears between the two atoms. The density will be larger in the space between the atoms and smaller on the sides opposite them. In this way, the electron shields some of the positive charge from the nucleus of the atoms and allows them to be closer than they would otherwise. This is the essence of a chemical (covalent) bond.

Answer 2

It's KIND of like if, say, you and I needed to take a test and for the test we needed both a pencil AND a pen. And YOU had a pencil and I had a pen. So we'd sit next to each other, and swap every other answer. Sometimes you'd have the pen, sometimes I would, same with the pencil. The two writing utensils are the electrons and we are the nuclei and the test is the protons. We know that we can't sit *too* close to each other or we'll get yelled at. This is the "repulsive force" of electron-electron and nucleus nucleus interaction.

Electron sharing is covalent chemical bonding. Consider the hydrogen atom, since it only has one electron it's an easy place to start. The hydrogen *molecule* is two atoms. They share each others electron.

Molecules that share more than one electron

Answer 3

Atoms consist of protons and neutrons, clustered in the nucleus, and electrons, orbiting around them. In this way atoms very much resemble the Solar System - with the Sun - the nucleus, and the planets - the electrons. What is different, however, is that in one and the same orbit there might be more than one electron. For instance, the hydrogen atom has only one orbit with one electron, but helius has two electrons in its orbit. There are also elements, the atoms of which have more than two electrons located in several orbits, or as they are called - in several electron layers.

The knowledge of the structure of the atom is essential when determining its interactions with other atoms. It is well known for example that atoms can interact and form chemical bonds only with the electrons in their outer electron layer, or as we called it, their outer orbit. To put it another way, if the Solar system was a giant atom it cannot form bonds with its inner planets, such as Mercury or the Earth, for instance. Its active electrone would be Pluto, as it is the outermost planet (or at least it was until recently!)

So, when a chemical bond is formed, only the outermost electron/s of both atms can interact. Another thing to consider is the "spin" of those electrons, or their magnetic properties. They are determined by the direction of the "north" and the "south" pole of the electrons. Only electrons with opposite spins can form a chemical bond. To set it clear, imagine that the electrons are two magnets. If they are located in such a way that the north pole of the first and the south pole of the second point in one and the same direction, then those two electrons will "attract" each other just as magnets do. Then they will bind:

| N | --> <-- | S |
| | --> <-- | |
| S | --> <-- | N |

And now we come to the question abouth the "magical" in chemistry figure 8. It's better to call it a number, than a figure. Eight is actually the highest possible number of the electrons in the otermost electron layer of an atom. In other words, if we return to the solar system model in the outermost orbit of every atom a maximum of 8 planets can be found. In the atoms of some elements, the noble gases (argon, neon and other) the last layer (orbit) contains exactly eight electrons. In the other atoms a smaller number of electrons is found. This number determines the ability of atoms to form chemical bonds. For example an atom chlorine has seven outer electrons and thus can form one chemical bond. An atom of oxygen has six outer electrons, forming two bonds (as in the molecule of water). As it is obvious, atoms form bonds in order to fill the vacant places in their outermost electron layer. They seek to obtain an outer layer with eight electrons in it,i.e. their most stable state.

Some other atoms, such as those of sodium or hydrogen have quite a few outer electrons. They "prefer" to give electrons, rather than to gain such. In this way they again obtain an outer layer of 8 electrons - the last but one in their atoms (in the case of hydrogen there is not any outer layer, as the atom has only one electron). Here is a simple scheme of the process:

H + Cl ---> H :Cl
hydrogen + chlorine

The points here represent the interacting electrons. One of the electrons of the chlorine atom binds with the only electron of the hydrogen atom (as already described, this occurs due to the different magnetic properties,or the spins, of the interacting atoms). The chlorine with its seven outer electrons needs one more electron, so that it attracts the electron of the hydrogen and completes its outer layer with 8 electrons. The hydrogen atom on the other hand gives away its electron and reaches again a stable state (e.g. one with less power than the atom itself). The electrons are nearer the chlorine atom as it atracts them stroner in order to complete its last layer. The atoms in this molecule have a partial charge - negative for the chlorine and positive for the hydrogen.


Excuse my grammar and spelling - non - English

Answer 4

the valence electrons..the two atom will share them depends on how many they exactly needs to have an octet electron valence. usually non metal will have this kind of sharing electron and form a covalent compound
better u check it in the lab...

Answer 5

while an electron is shared its reported as a covalent bond.while one has a tendency to pull electrons in the direction of itself,then that's reported as polarity. Water is a fantastically polar substance. Your answer is B =)

Answer 6

By taking turns.

If I remember correctly it bounces between the two. I may be wrong. It's been over 30 years since I took science.

Answer 7

atom always want to become stable to they lose gain or share electron and atom only share lose or gain valence electron.

i think i answered ur question

Answer 8

It all depends how they are willing to share.They can be stingy.

Answer 9

by
sharing
giving
taking