Definition, Meaning & Synonyms
covalency
noun
koh-VAL-en-see
Definition
Covalency refers to the ability of an atom to form covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other atoms.
Examples
- In water (H2O), each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the oxygen atom, demonstrating covalency.
- Carbon typically exhibits a covalency of four, allowing it to form diverse organic compounds.
Meaning
The term describes how atoms connect with one another through shared pairs of electrons, leading to the creation of molecules.
Synonyms
- Bonding
- Electron sharing
- Atomic connectivity
