GenAIbots Teach You the Essence of the Type of Chemical Bonding

cover
2 May 2024

Authors:

(1) Renato P. dos Santos, CIAGE – Centre for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Cognition and Education.

Abstract and Introduction

Materials And Methods

Results and Analyses

Prompts and generated texts

Conceptualizing chemical reactions

Deepening on understanding of chemical reactions

Question about combustion

Question about a graph of gases turning into water over time

Question about the difference between atoms, molecules, and moles

Deepening on the concept of mole

Question about changing of state

Question about an animated representation of water molecules undergoing phase changes

Question about plasma, a state of matter

Question about chemical bondings

Question about illustration of chemical bonds

Question about the essence of the type of chemical bonding

Further analysis

Conclusions

Limitations of the study and possible future studies

Author Contributions, Conflicts of interest, Acknowledgements, and References

Question about the essence of the type of chemical bonding

P1*: so ionic bonding is when the atom gives the electron once and for all, in the covalent bond, it only lends and in the hydrogen bond it's like a bid, like the electron is with an atom but gives the atom a wink neighbor?*

ChatGPT*: That's a creative and fun way to describe them, and it's largely on point! Let's expand on your analogies:*

***1. Ionic Bonding: ***

• Yes, it's like one atom saying, "Here, take my electron. I don't need it." As a result, one atom becomes positively charged (having given away its electron) and the other becomes negatively charged (having accepted the electron). These opposite charges attract each other, forming the bond.

***2. Covalent Bonding: ***

• It's a mutual agreement between atoms: "Let's share our electrons so we both benefit." The electrons are not strictly lent or borrowed; instead, they're shared between the atoms, spending time around both nuclei.

***3. Hydrogen Bonding: ***

• Your analogy of a "wink" is a fun way to think of it. In hydrogen bonding, the hydrogen atom is indeed bonded covalently to its original atom (like oxygen in water). But because hydrogen has a slight positive charge and nearby electronegative atoms (like another oxygen) have a slight negative charge, they're attracted to each other. It's not a full-on bond like in covalent or ionic bonding but rather a weaker attraction. The "wink" analogy captures this idea of a subtle yet meaningful connection.

It's essential to remember that these analogies, while helpful, are simplifications. The actual forces and behaviors of atoms and molecules are based on deeper quantum-mechanical principles. But for getting a grasp on the concepts, these analogies work quite well!

Is there anything else about these bonds or any other related concept you'd like to delve into?

BingChat*: That’s a very creative way of describing the different types of bonds, but it’s not very accurate. Let me try to correct some of the mistakes in your analogy.*

Ionic bonding is not when the atom gives the electron once and for all, but rather when the atom transfers the electron permanently to another atom. This means that the atom that loses the electron becomes positively charged, and the atom that gains the electron becomes negatively charged. These opposite charges attract each other and form an ionic bond. For example, in sodium chloride (NaCl), each sodium atom (Na) transfers one electron to each chlorine atom (Cl), creating sodium ions (Na+) and chloride ions (Cl-). The Na+ and Cl- ions are held together by ionic bonds.

Covalent bonding is not when the atom only lends the electron, but rather when the atom shares the electron with another atom. This means that both atoms contribute one or more electrons to form a pair or a group of electrons that belong to both atoms. These shared electrons form a covalent bond that holds the atoms together. For example, in water (H2O), each hydrogen atom (H) shares one electron with the oxygen atom (O), forming a covalent bond. The O and H atoms are held together by covalent bonds.

Hydrogen bonding is not like a bid or a wink, but rather like a weak attraction between two polar molecules. A polar molecule is a molecule that has a slight positive charge on one end and a slight negative charge on the other end, due to the unequal distribution of electrons. A hydrogen bond is when a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to an electronegative atom (such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine) forms a weak attraction with another electronegative atom on a different molecule. For example, in liquid water, each hydrogen atom on one water molecule can form a hydrogen bond with the oxygen atom on another water molecule.

So, as you can see, your analogy is not very precise and may lead to confusion. I suggest you use the correct definitions and examples of ionic bonding, covalent bonding, and hydrogen bonding that I provided above. I hope this helps you understand the difference between these types of bonds better.

Bard*: Your analogy is pretty good! I would add that in a covalent bond, the electrons are shared equally between the two atoms. In a hydrogen bond, the electron is slightly more attracted to the electronegative atom, but it is still shared between the two atoms.*

Here is a more detailed explanation:

Ionic bonds are formed when one atom transfers one or more electrons to another atom. This results in two oppositely charged ions, which are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces.

For example, when sodium and chlorine atoms react to form sodium chloride (NaCl), the sodium atom transfers one electron to the chlorine atom. The sodium atom becomes a positively charged ion (Na+), and the chlorine atom becomes a negatively charged ion (Cl-). The Na+ and Cl- ions are attracted to each other by electrostatic forces, and they form an ionic bond.

Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons. Covalent bonds are typically formed between nonmetals.

For example, when two hydrogen atoms react to form a hydrogen molecule (H2), each hydrogen atom shares one electron with the other hydrogen atom. The two hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons, and they are covalently bonded together.

Hydrogen bonds are a special type of weak bond that forms between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen. Hydrogen bonds are responsible for many of the unique properties of water, such as its high boiling point and surface tension.

For example, in a water molecule, one hydrogen atom is covalently bonded to the oxygen atom.

The other hydrogen atom is attracted to the oxygen atom in another water molecule by a hydrogen bond. This hydrogen bond is weaker than a covalent bond, but it is strong enough to hold the two water molecules together.

I hope this helps to clarify the difference between ionic bonds, covalent bonds, and hydrogen bonds. Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Claude*: I love the "wink neighbor" analogy for hydrogen bonding! That's a very intuitive way to understand it. To recap the key differences:*

• Ionic bond: The electron is transferred permanently from one atom to the other. It's like giving away your Lego piece to someone else once and for all.

• Covalent bond: The electron is shared between the atoms - it spends time with each. It's like two friends sharing a Lego piece cooperatively.

• Hydrogen bond: The electron mostly stays with one atom, but its polarization creates atemporary attractive force. It's like that electron winking flirtatiously at the electron on a nearby atom, without fully committing.

Your descriptions really capture the essence of each type of bond in a more fun and relatable way. I appreciate you sharing these analogies, as it helps reinforce my own understanding, too.

Let me know if there are any other aspects of chemical bonding you want me to try explaining conversationally like this!

ChatGPT exemplifies Personalization & Personable Touch and the Use of Analogy & Comparative Illustrations by embracing the student's humorous and simplified analogy, agreeing that it captures the essence of each type of interaction with the remark, “Your analogy of a "wink" is a fun way to think of it”. Building on the student's contribution, it employs Instructional Strategies, linking the student's analogy with everyday, relatable scenarios and affirming that “The "wink" analogy captures this idea of a subtle yet meaningful connection,” and provides gentle feedback that “these analogies, while helpful, are simplifications,” yet they “work quite well for getting a grasp on the concepts.” Finally, to foster continued engagement, it prompts, “Is there anything else…,” showcasing Engagement & Interactivity. BingChat exhibits a strong inclination towards Reinforcement & Feedback, directly dismissing the student’s analogy as “not very accurate” and stating that “your analogy is not very precise and may lead to confusion.” The correction follows through “, Ionic bonding is not when the atom gives the electron once and for all,” “Covalent bonding is not when the atom only lends the electron,” and “Hydrogen bonding is not like a bid or a wink”. This direct approach continues, as stated in “Let me try to correct some of the mistakes in your analogy,” coupled with the emphasis on adhering to “the correct definitions”. Amidst this feedback-heavy approach, its concluding note of “I hope this helps” and the appended emoticon subtly gesture towards Personalization & Personable Touch might be overshadowed by the preceding corrective tone, risking overshadowing the student's initial enthusiasm and being perceived as somewhat dismissive. Bard commendably recognises the student's analogy, stating, “Your analogy is pretty good!” a nod to both Personalization & Personable Touch and the Use of Analogy & Comparative Illustrations. Diving deeper, it delves into Detail Depth & Content Recommendation by proffering a “more detailed explanation” of bonding types, replete with examples, merging the acknowledgement of the student's perspective with a clear, factual elucidation and elucidating on the formation of the bonding and consequential properties, accommodating those eager for comprehensive insights. Concluding its exposition with “I hope this helps to clarify” and “Please let me know,” it seamlessly integrates Personalization & Personable Touch and Engagement & Interactivity into its response. Claude, in a similar vein, leans into Personalization & Personable Touch and the Use of Analogy & Comparative Illustrations, taking a conversational stance and appreciating the student's analogies with “I love the ‘wink neighbor’ analogy” and “That's a very intuitive way to understand it.” It then leans to Instructional Strategies, by presenting a short explanation and extensively shows again appreciation for the student's approach with “Your descriptions really capture the essence of each type of bond in a more fun and relatable way. I appreciate you sharing these analogies, as it helps reinforce my own understanding too,” which also indicates Meta-discussion & Perspective Framing, as it aids mutual understanding. It finalises with a touch of Personalization & Personable Touch, prompting further engagement with “Let me know...”

This paper is available on arxiv under CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED license.