Cambridge AS Level Chemistry: Chemical Bonding — Ionic, Covalent & Coordinate Covalent

Before diving into bond types, this module builds the conceptual foundation: what drives atoms to form bonds, what stable electron configurations look like, and how to read and write the electronic configurations that underpin all bonding diagrams.

This module covers the formation of ions by electron transfer, the structure of ionic lattices, dot-and-cross diagrams for ionic compounds, and how ionic bonding explains the physical properties that Cambridge examiners love to ask about.

The most content-rich module, covering shared electron pairs, single/double/triple bonds, dot-and-cross diagrams for a wide range of molecules, bond length and strength trends, electronegativity, polarity, and VSEPR-based shape prediction.

This module tackles the most misunderstood bonding concept at AS Level. Students learn the precise definition of a coordinate bond, how to represent it correctly in dot-and-cross and displayed formula diagrams, and work through every key example that appears in Cambridge examinations.

The final module connects all three bond types to macroscopic physical properties and exam application. Students compare giant ionic, giant covalent, simple molecular, and metallic structures, practise full-length exam questions, and consolidate their understanding with a final review.