#AP Chemistry: Chemical Bonding - The Ultimate Study Guide 🚀

Hey there, future AP Chem master! Let's dive into the world of chemical bonding. This guide is designed to be your go-to resource, especially the night before the exam. We'll break down everything you need to know, make connections between topics, and get you feeling confident. Let's get started!

#⚛️ Foundational Knowledge of Bonding

#Valence Electrons

• Valence electrons are the outermost electrons in an atom. They're the key players in chemical bonding.
• They reside in the s and p orbitals of the outermost shell.
• A jump in ionization energies can reveal the number of valence electrons.
• Elements in the same group (column) have the same number of valence electrons. This is a

![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_3c7a11_1983.jpg?alt=media&token=553d90a5-f882-4597-90b2-5dc771a3a6b6)

*Image Courtesy of ck12*

*   The image above shows the number of valence electrons for main group elements. Transition metals are less predictable.
*   **Oxygen (O)** has 6 valence electrons, and **Carbon (C)** has 4. Use the periodic table to quickly determine these numbers.
*   Elements in the same group tend to bond similarly because of their similar valence electron configurations. For example:
    *   Group 1 elements bond with chlorine: LiCl, NaCl, KCl, RbCl
    *   Group 2 elements bond with oxygen: MgO, CaO, SrO, BaO

#Charges of Ions

• Ions are charged atoms or molecules that have gained or lost electrons. Atoms form ions to achieve a stable electron configuration.

• Remember: Stability is the name of the game in chemistry! ⚖️

  

  Image Courtesy of Chemistry Land

  • Main group elements have predictable charges. Transition metals have variable charges. Don't worry, AP won't test you too much on transition metal charges.

#Types of Elements

• There are three types of elements: metals, nonmetals, and metalloids.

  ![](https://zupay.blob.core.windows.net/resources/files/0baca4f69800419293b4c75aa2870acd_d8364d_1253.jpg?alt=media...