2007-02-25 14:47:01 · 2 answers · asked by Ray 2 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Chemistry
Whe there is an electron affinity. If an element is lacking an electron in the valence shell, it is attracted to an element that has one to share. It also has to do with electronegativity.
2007-02-25 14:55:24 · answer #1 · answered by Boo Radley 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An atom of an element possesses a nucleus that contains protons (positve charge) and neutrons (no charge). In addition to this the nucleus is surrounded by electrons (negative charge). This area is known as the electron cloud. In neutral atom the number of protons euals the number of elctrons.
Every atom wants to obtain 8 electrons in its outter most part (shell) of the cloud.(octet rule or happy 8)
To answer your question chemical bonding occurs when electron clouds of two atoms of the same or different element come close enough together so that the electrons can transfer (ionic bond), form a sea (metalic bond) or be shared between atoms (covalent bond) in order for each element to have 8 electrons in its outter shell.
NOTE: The octet rule does not apply to Hydrogen (H) or Helium (He)
2007-02-25 14:56:47 · answer #2 · answered by jdaddy76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋