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The Hydrogen Molecule and the Covalent Bond
ONE OF THE GREAT TRIUMPHS of quantum mechanics is the theoretical explanation of the covalent bond. Two types of interactions hold atoms together, covalent bonds and ionic bonds. Ionic bonds are the type that occurs in a sodium chloride (NaCl) crystal. We know from Chapter 11 and our discussion of the Periodic Table that this salt crystal is composed of sodium cations, Na+1, and chloride anions, Cl–1. The ions in the crystal are held together by electrostatic interactions. Opposite charges attract. There are some complications because like charges repel, but it is possible to show that the attractions of the oppositely charged ions overcome the repulsions of the like charged ions. Such electrostatic ...
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