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ASChemistryEdexcelRevision Notes1. Physical Chemistry1.4 Bonding1.4.7 Bond Length & Bond Strength

Bond Length & Bond Strength (Edexcel AS Chemistry)

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Philippa Platt

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Bond Length & Bond Strength

Bond energy

  • The bond energy is the energy required to break one mole of a particular covalent bond in the gaseous states
    • Bond energy has units of kJ mol-1

  • The larger the bond energy, the stronger the covalent bond is

Bond length

  • The bond length is internuclear distance of two covalently bonded atoms
    • It is the distance from the nucleus of one atom to another atom which forms the covalent bond

  • The greater the forces of attraction between electrons and nuclei, the more the atoms are pulled closer to each other
  • This decreases the bond length of a molecule and increases the strength of the covalent bond
  • Triple bonds are the shortest and strongest covalent bonds due to the large electron density between the nuclei of the two atoms
  • This increase the forces of attraction between the electrons and nuclei of the atoms
  • As a result of this, the atoms are pulled closer together causing a shorter bond length
  • The increased forces of attraction also means that the covalent bond is stronger

Chemical Bonding Bond Lengths and Strengths, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Triple bonds are the shortest covalent bonds and therefore the strongest ones

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    Philippa Platt

    Author: Philippa Platt

    Expertise: Chemistry

    Philippa has worked as a GCSE and A level chemistry teacher and tutor for over thirteen years. She studied chemistry and sport science at Loughborough University graduating in 2007 having also completed her PGCE in science. Throughout her time as a teacher she was incharge of a boarding house for five years and coached many teams in a variety of sports. When not producing resources with the chemistry team, Philippa enjoys being active outside with her young family and is a very keen gardener.