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I understand that cations attract anions, and thats what holds ionic compounds together. What holds atoms together in molecules?

April 26, 2017anions atoms cations compounds holds Ionic molecules understand

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I understand that cations attract anions, and thats what holds ionic compounds together. What holds atoms together in molecules?

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Molecules are held together by electrons shared between bonded atoms. For example, consider the formation of an H2 molecule from two separate hydrogen atoms: 2 approaching hydrogen atoms (2 H) a hydrogen molecule (H2) As the two atoms approach, each nucleus begins to attract the other atom’s electrons. The shared electrons spend much of their time wedged between the two nuclei (where they can be be as close as possible to both of the positive charges at once). The attraction of nuclei for shared electrons holds the atoms together. A molecule has formed. Because of the wavelike nature of electrons, you really need quantum mechanics to accurately describe this process. Author: Fred Senese senese@antoine.frostburg.edu General Chemistry Online! What holds atoms together in molecules? Copyright &copy 1997-2005 by Fred Senese Comments & questions to fsenese@frostburg.edu Last Revised 07/31/07.URL: http://antoine.frostburg.edu/chem/senese/101/compounds/faq/print-covalent-bonding.