Teaching structure and bonding post-16

In their chemistry learning post-16, students need to understand the orbital model of the atom, plus covalent, ionic and metallic bonding. Key to this understanding is the physical nature of bonding. It’s all about electrostatics, built on the idea that opposites attract.

This article suggests approaches to misconceptions, teaching strategies, classroom activities and experiments teachers can use to support students in their study of bonds between atoms and molecules.