Author
Home > Science > What is the Difference Between Electrovalency and Covalency?

Guilherme Mazui

•3 minutes to read

What is the Difference Between Electrovalency and Covalency?

🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚

Electrovalency and covalency are two different concepts related to chemical bonding. Here are the key differences between them:

  • Electrovalency: This refers to the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom to form an ionic bond and achieve a stable electronic configuration. Electrovalency is applicable to ionic compounds, such as NaCl and MgCl2. For example, sodium has an electrovalency of +1, while bromine has an electrovalency of -1.
  • Covalency: This refers to the maximum number of electrons that an atom can share with another atom to form a covalent bond. Covalency is applicable to covalent compounds, such as H2 and H2O. The covalency of an atom depends on the number of valence electrons it has.

In summary, electrovalency is related to the loss or gain of electrons in ionic bonding, while covalency is related to the sharing of electrons in covalent bonding.

On this page
  • What is the Difference Between Electrovalency and Covalency?
  • Comparative Table: Electrovalency vs Covalency

    • Comparative Table: Electrovalency vs Covalency

    Electrovalency and covalency are two different concepts in chemistry that describe how atoms interact with each other. Here is a table highlighting the differences between them:

    Property Electrovalency Covalency
    Definition Electrovalency is the number of electrons lost or gained by an atom to form an ion. Covalency is the maximum number of electrons that an atom can share with another atom.
    Bond Formation Electrovalency involves electron transfer between atoms, forming ions and creating an ionic bond. Covalency involves electron sharing for a stable electron configuration, resulting in a covalent bond.
    Electronegativity Difference Electrovalency arises from significant electronegativity differences between atoms. Covalency occurs when atoms have comparable electronegativities.
    Examples Sodium Chloride (NaCl): Sodium has an electrovalency of +1, and chlorine has an electrovalency of -1. Methane (CH4): The covalency of carbon is 4, and the covalency of hydrogen is 1 for each hydrogen atom.

    In summary, electrovalency explains the formation of ions and ionic bonds, while covalency explains the formation of covalent bonds through electron sharing.

    Read more:

    Guilherme Mazui

    Guilherme Mazui is graduated in journalism from the Federal University of Minas Gerais (UFMG) and a master's degree in Communication from the University of São Paulo (USP). In addition, he has experience in advertising writing and has worked as a content editor in several companies.