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Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic key terms

Study Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic with curriculum-aligned Key Terms resources, practice links, and exam-focused support.

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key terms

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Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic

AqaGcseChemistryBonding, structure, and the properties of matter

Key terms

  • covalent bond

    In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent single covalent bonds in small molecules using lines. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • small molecule

    In Covalent bonding, small molecule means a molecule that consists of a small number of atoms covalently bonded together. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent single covalent bonds in small molecules using lines. Use small molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • covalent bond

    In Covalent bonding, covalent bond means a bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent covalent bonding in repeating units of polymers using lines and brackets where appropriate. Use covalent bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • polymer

    In Covalent bonding, polymer means a large molecule composed of repeating structural units connected by covalent bonds. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent covalent bonding in repeating units of polymers using lines and brackets where appropriate. Use polymer only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • giant covalent structure

    A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds throughout the entire structure.

  • single bond

    In Covalent bonding, single bond means a covalent bond formed when two atoms share one pair of electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to represent part of a giant covalent structure using lines for single bonds. Use single bond only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • dot and cross diagram

    A diagram that represents the sharing of electron pairs between atoms in covalent bonding.

  • ball and stick diagram

    A model that shows the arrangement of atoms in a molecule using balls to represent atoms and sticks to represent bonds.

  • molecular formula

    In Covalent bonding, molecular formula means a representation of a molecule that shows the number and type of atoms present. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to deduce a molecular formula from a model or diagram showing atoms and bonds. Use molecular formula only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • dot and cross diagram

    A visual representation used to show the arrangement of electrons in covalent bonding.

  • small molecule

    In Covalent bonding, small molecule means a molecule consisting of a small number of atoms covalently bonded together. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to distinguish small molecules, polymers and giant covalent structures from bonding diagrams. Use small molecule only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • giant covalent structure

    A large network of atoms bonded together by covalent bonds throughout the entire structure.

  • metallic bonding

    In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metals as giant structures of atoms in a regular arrangement. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • giant metallic structure

    In Metallic bonding, giant metallic structure means a large arrangement of metal atoms in a regular pattern. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metals as giant structures of atoms in a regular arrangement. Use giant metallic structure only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • delocalised electrons

    Electrons in a metallic structure that are free to move throughout the lattice, contributing to conductivity.

  • metallic bonding

    The strong attraction between positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons in a metallic structure.

  • delocalised electron

    An electron in a metallic structure that is free to move throughout the lattice, contributing to electrical conductivity.

  • metallic bonding

    The strong attraction between positively charged metal ions and delocalised electrons in a metallic structure.

  • metallic bonding

    In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to describe metallic bonding as strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • delocalised electron

    an electron in a metallic structure that is free to move throughout the lattice.

  • metallic giant structure

    A large arrangement of metal atoms held together by metallic bonding, characterized by a regular pattern.

  • bonding diagram

    A visual representation that illustrates the arrangement of atoms and the nature of bonding in a substance.

  • metallic bonding

    In Metallic bonding, metallic bonding means strong attraction involving metal atoms and delocalised electrons. This matters in Chemical bonds, ionic, covalent and metallic because it supports the learning objective to use a metallic bonding diagram to explain why metals are not simple molecules. Use metallic bonding only in this subtopic-relevant sense so the definition stays concise, curriculum-specific, and useful for AQA GCSE Biology revision. Students should use this term accurately when they explain the biology, identify symptoms, or justify an answer in GCSE Biology questions.

  • delocalised electron

    an outer-shell electron in metals that is free to move throughout the metallic structure.