AP Chemistry Unit 2: Bonding & Molecular Structure | StarSpark

Unit 2 builds directly on Unit 1. Now that you understand atoms and electron configurations, it's time to learn how atoms bond together. You'll explore ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and metallic bonds. You'll draw Lewis structures, use VSEPR theory to predict molecular shapes, and connect all of this to the properties of compounds. This unit is where chemistry starts feeling less abstract and more like solving puzzles about how molecules are built.

Topic 2.1: Types of Chemical Bonds

There are three main types of chemical bonds: ionic, covalent, and metallic. The type of bond that forms depends on the electronegativity difference between atoms and the nature of the elements involved.

Ionic bonds form between metals and nonmetals with large electronegativity differences. One atom transfers electrons to another, creating ions held together by electrostatic attraction. Covalent bonds form between nonmetals with similar electronegativity. Atoms share valence electrons to achieve stable configurations. Nonpolar covalent bonds form when two atoms have nearly equal electronegativity (both pull equally); polar covalent bonds form when atoms have different electronegativity (one pulls harder). Metallic bonds form between metal atoms, where valence electrons are delocalized in a "sea" around positive metal cores.

The key insight: bonding exists on a spectrum. There's no sharp line between ionic and covalent. All polar bonds have some ionic character, and the difference between ionic and covalent bonding is gradual, not distinct.

Key concepts to know:

• Electronegativity: The atom's ability to attract electrons in a bond. Electronegativity increases across a period and up a group. Used to predict bond polarity.
• Ionic vs. covalent: Generally, metal-nonmetal bonds are ionic; nonmetal-nonmetal bonds are covalent. But the best way to characterize bonding is to examine the properties of the compound.
• Polar and nonpolar covalent bonds: Electronegativity difference drives polarity. Bonds between identical atoms are nonpolar. Bonds between different atoms can be nonpolar if the difference is small, or polar if the difference is larger.
• Metallic bonding: Delocalized valence electrons create electrical and thermal conductivity, malleability, and ductility in metals.

Topic 2.2: Intramolecular Force and Potential Energy

Intramolecular forces are the forces within a molecule (covalent bonds). The strength of these bonds determines the stability of the molecule. A potential energy diagram shows how potential energy changes as atoms move closer or farther apart. The lowest point on the curve is the equilibrium bond length (the distance at which the molecule is most stable). The energy required to separate atoms at this distance is the bond energy.

Bond order (single, double, triple) affects both bond length and bond energy. Higher bond order means shorter, stronger bonds. A triple bond is shorter and stronger than a double bond, which is shorter and stronger than a single bond between the same atoms.

Coulomb's law applies to ionic interactions: the strength of attraction between a cation and anion is proportional to the magnitude of their charges and inversely proportional to the distance between them. Smaller ions with higher charges interact more strongly.

Key concepts to know:

• Bond length and bond order: Higher bond order = shorter bond. Triple bonds are shortest, single bonds are longest.
• Bond energy: The energy required to break a bond. Higher bond order = higher bond energy. Bond energy is positive (breaking bonds requires energy).
• Coulomb's law for ionic bonding: Strength of ionic interaction depends on ion charges and distance between ions.
• Potential energy curves: Show equilibrium bond length and bond dissociation energy.

Topic 2.3: Structure of Ionic Solids

In an ionic solid, cations and anions are arranged in a 3D crystal lattice that maximizes attractive forces (between opposite charges) and minimizes repulsive forces (between like charges). The specific crystal structure depends on the size and charge of the ions, but the goal is always the same: stable, neutral arrangement.

You don't need to memorize specific crystal structures like NaCl or CsCl lattices. The exam focuses on understanding the concept: ions arrange themselves in repeating patterns that balance attraction and repulsion, and these structures explain the properties of ionic compounds (brittle, high melting point, conduct electricity when molten).

Key concepts to know:

• Crystal lattice: A 3D repeating structure of ions held together by electrostatic forces.
• Charge balance: The ionic solid must be electrically neutral overall.
• Ion arrangement: Cations and anions surround each other to minimize repulsion and maximize attraction.

Topic 2.4: Structure of Metals and Alloys

In a metallic solid, metal atoms lose valence electrons to form a delocalized "sea" of electrons. Positive metal cations are surrounded by this electron sea. The delocalized electrons allow metals to conduct electricity and heat, and they give metals their characteristic properties: malleability (ability to be hammered into shape) and ductility (ability to be drawn into wire).

Alloys are mixtures of metals (or metals with nonmetals). In an interstitial alloy, smaller atoms fill the gaps (interstices) between larger metal atoms. This makes the lattice more rigid and less malleable, like steel (iron with carbon atoms in the interstices). In a substitutional alloy, atoms of similar size replace each other in the lattice. Brass (copper and zinc) is a substitutional alloy.

Key concepts to know:

• Metallic bonding: Delocalized valence electrons in a "sea" around positive metal cores.
• Properties of metals: Good electrical and thermal conductors (mobile electrons), malleable and ductile (layers can slide past each other).
• Interstitial alloys: Smaller atoms fill gaps between larger atoms. Makes alloy more rigid and less malleable.
• Substitutional alloys: Atoms of similar size substitute for each other. Maintains malleability and conductivity.

Topic 2.5: Lewis Diagrams

A Lewis diagram (or Lewis structure) shows the valence electrons in a molecule or polyatomic ion as dots or lines. Dots represent lone pairs (pairs of electrons not shared), and lines represent bonding pairs (shared pairs). Lewis structures follow simple rules: count valence electrons, connect atoms with single bonds, then distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs.

The octet rule is a guideline (not an absolute rule) that atoms tend to form bonds until they have eight valence electrons (or two, for hydrogen). Most stable molecules satisfy the octet rule, but there are exceptions: boron compounds often have only six valence electrons; phosphorus, sulfur, and beyond can expand their octets.

Key concepts to know:

• Valence electron count: Total valence electrons = (atoms × valence electrons per atom) + (charge, if polyatomic ion). Subtract 1 electron for each positive charge; add 1 for each negative charge.
• Single bonds first: Connect atoms with single bonds. Then, if atoms don't have octets, form double or triple bonds.
• Lone pairs: Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs on outer atoms (usually nonmetals like N, O, F).
• Octet rule: Atoms usually form bonds to achieve eight valence electrons. Exceptions exist but are less common on the AP exam.

Topic 2.6: Resonance and Formal Charge

Resonance occurs when more than one valid Lewis structure can be drawn for a molecule, and the actual structure is a hybrid of all possibilities. For example, ozone (O3) and the nitrate ion (NO3-) have multiple resonance structures. The actual structure is an average, with bonds having fractional bond order between single and double.

Formal charge helps you decide which resonance structure is most likely. The formal charge on an atom is: (valence electrons) - (lone pairs) - (1/2 of bonding electrons). In the best Lewis structure, the sum of formal charges equals the ion's charge, and negative formal charges are on more electronegative atoms.

Key concepts to know:

• Resonance structures: Multiple valid Lewis structures for one molecule. Actual structure is a hybrid with properties intermediate between the structures.
• Formal charge: (Valence e-) - (lone pair e-) - (1/2 bonding e-). Used to identify the best Lewis structure.
• Best resonance structure: Minimizes formal charges, places negative charges on more electronegative atoms, and has minimal charge separation.

Topic 2.7: VSEPR and Hybridization

VSEPR theory (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) predicts molecular geometry based on Lewis structures. Electron pairs (bonding and lone) around the central atom repel each other and position themselves as far apart as possible. The number of electron pairs determines the electron geometry. Ignoring lone pairs gives the molecular geometry.

Hybridization describes the mixing of atomic orbitals to form new hybrid orbitals suitable for bonding. The type of hybridization depends on the number of electron pairs around the central atom:

• sp: 2 electron pairs, 180° angle, linear
• sp2: 3 electron pairs, 120° angles, trigonal planar
• sp3: 4 electron pairs, 109.5° angles, tetrahedral

Higher electron pairs involve d orbitals (sp3d, sp3d2), but the exam focuses on sp, sp2, and sp3.

Key concepts to know:

• Electron geometry: Determined by total electron pairs (bonding + lone). Examples: tetrahedral (4), trigonal bipyramidal (5), octahedral (6).
• Molecular geometry: Determined by bonding pairs only. Ignores lone pairs. Examples: tetrahedral, trigonal pyramidal (tetrahedral with lone pair), bent (tetrahedral with two lone pairs).
• Hybridization and geometry: sp = linear, sp2 = trigonal planar, sp3 = tetrahedral. Match hybridization to geometry.
• Sigma and pi bonds: Single bonds are sigma bonds (strong overlap). Double bonds contain one sigma and one pi bond (pi bonds are weaker). Triple bonds are one sigma and two pi bonds.

Study Tips for Unit 2

Summary, Review Questions & Practice

You've covered all the topics in Unit 2. Before you move on, test yourself with these scenario-based questions. If you can answer them confidently, you're ready for Unit 3.

Explore the Full AP Chemistry Study Guide

Unit 2 takes your understanding of atoms (Unit 1) and shows you how they combine. Unit 3 moves to the next step: how the structure and bonding you learned in Units 1 and 2 determine the macroscopic properties of substances (boiling point, solubility, conductivity, etc.).

Check out the full AP Chemistry study plan to see how this unit connects to the rest of the course.

Other Unit Reviews:

• AP Chemistry Unit 1: Atomic Structure and Properties
• AP Chemistry Unit 3: Properties of Substances and Mixtures
• AP Chemistry Unit 4: Chemical Reactions
• AP Chemistry Unit 5: Kinetics
• AP Chemistry Unit 6: Thermochemistry
• AP Chemistry Unit 7: Equilibrium
• AP Chemistry Unit 8: Acids and Bases
• AP Chemistry Unit 9: Thermodynamics and Electrochemistry

For official AP Chemistry resources, visit apcentral.collegeboard.org.

This review is aligned with the AP Chemistry Course and Exam Description. AP is a registered trademark of the College Board, which was not involved in the production of this guide.