Basics of Bonding 1 The second law of thermodynamics tells us that things tend to lose energy. Balls roll downhill. Electrons return to ground state. Atoms link or bond to each other. 2 Atoms bond because they Lose energy Gain stability 3 Energy/stability Unbonded Bonded 4 BJU Press Chemistry textbook p. 140 Noble gases (8 outer e?) are the most stable elements. Elements gain, lose, or share electrons to attain the ?noble-gas electron configuration.? This is called the octet rule. 5 Ionic: Metals/nonmetals Covalent: Nonmetals/nonmetals Metallic: Metals/metals Types of Bonds A property affecting ionic and covalent bonds The tendency of objects to have regions of opposite charge Polarity Examples: N and S poles (+) and (?) ends of a battery polar bond