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WalesCombined Science

Unit 5 Chemistry 2: Bonding and properties

4 dot points across 4 inquiry questions. Click any dot point for a focused answer with worked past exam questions where available.

How does covalent bonding work, and why do simple molecular substances have low melting points?

Covalent bonding as the sharing of electrons between non-metals, simple molecular substances, and their properties.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 5 topic on covalent bonding, covering the sharing of electrons between non-metal atoms, simple molecules, and why simple molecular substances have low melting points and do not conduct.
9 min answer →

What are giant covalent and metallic structures, and how does metallic bonding explain the properties of metals?

Giant covalent structures such as diamond and graphite, metallic bonding, and how each structure explains the properties of the substance.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 5 topic on giant structures, covering giant covalent structures such as diamond and graphite, metallic bonding, and how each structure explains the properties of the substance.
9 min answer →

How does ionic bonding form, and why do ionic compounds have their properties?

Ionic bonding as the transfer of electrons between metals and non-metals, the formation of ions, and the properties of ionic compounds.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 5 topic on ionic bonding, covering how electrons are transferred between metals and non-metals to form ions, the giant ionic lattice, and the properties of ionic compounds.
9 min answer →

How can we work out the type of bonding in a substance from its properties?

Linking the type of structure and bonding to the properties of a substance, and using properties to identify the bonding type.
A focused answer to the WJEC GCSE Science Double Award Unit 5 topic linking structure and bonding to properties, covering how melting point, conductivity and hardness reveal whether a substance is ionic, simple molecular, giant covalent or metallic.
9 min answer →