The Open Door Web Site : Visual Chemistry : Hydrogen: Chemical Bonds

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VISUAL CHEMISTRY

HYDROGEN: CHEMICAL BONDS

Tutorials

Hydrogen can take part in both electrovalent and covalent bonding.

Electrovalent Bonding
Forming a cation (positive ion)

The hydrogen atom loses its electron and becomes a proton with one positive charge.

Forming a anion (negative ion)

The hydrogen atom gains an electron and becomes an ion with one negative charge

Covalent Bonding

Each hydrogen atom shares its electron with the other hydrogen atom.

Acids

All acids form hydrogen ions (cations) in solution. The strength of the acid will depend on how many hydrogen ions are present in the solution.

Sulphuric acid (H₂SO₄)
(The H⁺ and the OH^- ions from the water in the solution are not shown)

Nitric Acid (HNO₃)
(The H⁺ and the OH^- ions from the water in the solution are not shown)

Hydrochloric acid (HCl)

Hydrogen chloride gas is covalently bonded. When it dissolves in water it ionizes.

	A molecule of hydrogen chloride gas

	Hydrochloric acid (The H⁺ and the OH^- ions from the water in the solution are not shown)