Covelant Bonds
When atoms combine to form a solid, crystalline material, the atoms arrange themselves in a symmetrical pattern.
The atoms within the crystal structure are held together by bonds created by the interaction of valence electrons in one atom and the valence electrons of the other atom. This bond is known is a Covelant Bond.
Silicon is a crystalline material. Each silicon atom and its four neighbouring silicon atoms position the themselves to form a symmetrical pattern by sharing of valence electrons with each other. The sharing of valence electrons in silicon creates a material that, together, has a total of 8 valence electrons and produces a state of chemical stability. This connection between atoms is the Covalent Bond and which hold atoms together by each shared electron being attracted equally by two adjacent atoms.
Germanium has similar Covelant Bonding properties becuase it too has 4 valence electrons like Silicon does.
