Covalent and Dative Covalent Bonds Quiz

Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, while dative covalent bonds involve the sharing of an electron pair from one atom to another. In the IAL Edexcel specifications, covalent bonds are typically discussed in the context of molecular compounds, while dative covalent bonds are often encountered in coordination compounds and complex ions.

Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, whereas dative covalent bonds are formed when one atom donates both electrons in a shared pair to form a bond with another atom. This results in the formation of a coordinate covalent bond.

One example is the ammonium ion (NH4+), where the nitrogen atom donates a lone pair of electrons to form a dative covalent bond with a hydrogen ion (H+). This forms a dative covalent bond between the nitrogen and the hydrogen ion.