Dot and cross diagrams for covalent bonding
We can use dot and cross diagrams to show how a pair of electrons forms a covalent bond.
Here is the dot and cross diagram for oxygen (O2), a diatomic molecule. Notice the lone pair An unbonded pair of electrons. of electrons and the two shared pairs of electrons.
Here are the dot and cross diagrams for some other common molecules.
A single covalent bond is when two atoms share a single pair of electrons. Represented by a single line (鈥).