Ch. 6: Chemical Bonding
Section 6-1: Introduction to Chemical Bonding

"Atoms seldom exist as independent particles in nature. The oxygen you breathe, the water that makes up most of your body, and nearly all other substances are made up of combinations of atoms that are held together by chemical bonds. A chemical bond is a mutual electrical attraction between the nuclei and valence electrons of different atoms that binds the atoms together.

"Why are most atoms chemically bonded to each other? As independent particles, they are at relatively high potential energy. Nature, however, favors arrangements in which potential energy is minimized. This means that most atoms are less stable existing by themselves than when they are combined. By bonding with each other, atoms decrease in potential energy, thereby creating more stable arrangements of matter."

Excerpted from p.161.
Copyright © 2002 by Holt, Rinehart and Winston
This textbook is currently under adoption by the Northside Independent School District in San Antonio, Texas.