Chemistry Is as Easy as 2-3-4 (Types of Atoms- Chemical Bonds

TCE

The Chemical Educator

ISSN: 1430-4171 (electronic version)

Table of Contents

Abstract Volume 9 Issue 6 (2004) pp 356-358

Chemistry Is as Easy as 2–3–4 (Types of Atoms—Chemical Bonds—Crystal Lattices)

Alexandru T. Balaban

Department of Chemistry, Texas A&M University at Galveston, 5007 Avenue U, Galveston, TX 77551, balabana@tamug.edu
Received July 7, 2004. Accepted September 16, 2004.

Published online: 4 November 2004

Abstract. The main idea of this approach is that the teaching of general chemistry should begin with simple basic facts about (i) the two types of elements (metals and nonmetals) that can combine in (ii) three ways to form chemical interatomic bonds (metallic, ionic, and covalent) and that intermolecular (interparticle) forces can lead to condensed phases with (iii) four types of crystalline lattices (metallic, ionic, covalent, and molecular). Only afterwards should the more sophisticated details, discussing metalloids, polar covalent bonds or two-electron-three-center bonds, hydrogen bonds or bridges, and other intermolecular forces, be discussed.

Key Words: In the Classroom; general chemistry; bonding theory; descriptive chemistry; intermolecular forces; liquids; nonmajor chemistry; physical properties; solids; textbooks

(*) Corresponding author. (E-mail: balabana@tamug.edu)

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