Page 70 - The Miracle in the Atom

THE MIRACLE IN THE ATOM

This driving force, that is, the objective of the atoms to raise the number
of electrons in their outermost shells to maximum, causes an atom to form
three types of bonds with other atoms. These are the ionic bond, covalent
bond and metallic bond.
Commonly, special bonds categorised under the general title of "weak
bonds" act between molecules. These bonds are weaker than the bonds for-
med by atoms to constitute molecules because molecules need more flexible
structures to form matter.
Let us now, in brief, see the properties of these bonds and how they are
formed.

Ionic Bonds
Atoms combined by this bond swap electrons to complete the number
of electrons in their outermost shells to eight. Atoms having up to four elect-
rons in their outermost shells give these electrons to the atom with which
they are going to combine, that is, with which they will bond. Atoms having
more than four electrons in their outermost shells receive electrons from the
atoms with which they will bond. Molecules formed by this type of bond ha-
ve crystal (cubic) structures. Familiar table salt (NaCl) molecules are among
substances formed by this bond. Why do atoms have such a tendency? What
would happen if they did not have it?
Until today, the bonds formed by atoms could be defined only in very
general terms. It has not yet been understood why atoms adhere to this prin-
ciple. Could it be that atoms decide by themselves that the number of elect-
rons in their outermost shells should be eight? Definitely not. This is such
decisive behaviour that it goes beyond the atom, because it has no intellect,
will, or consciousness. This number is the key in the combination of atoms as
molecules that constitute the first step in the creation of the matter, and even-

Sodium chloride molecule (NaCl)
The sodium atom gives its out-
ermost electron to a chlorine
atom and becomes positively
charged. Receiving the elec-
Na Cl Na+ Cl-
tron, the chlorine atom
becomes negatively charged.
The two form an ionic bond
through these two opposite Sodium atom Chlorine atom Sodium ion Chlorine ion
charges attracting each other. 24

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