Chemical Bonding Quiz

Explain the difference between ionic bonds and covalent bonds.

Answer explanation

Ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons between atoms, creating charged ions, while covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons between atoms.

How do polar molecules differ from nonpolar molecules in terms of their electron distribution?

Answer explanation

Polar molecules have an uneven distribution of electrons, creating partial positive and negative charges, while nonpolar molecules have an even distribution of electrons.

Explain why carbon dioxide is considered a nonpolar molecule despite having polar bonds.

Answer explanation

Carbon dioxide is nonpolar due to its linear molecular geometry, which results in the polar bonds canceling each other out symmetrically.

What is the electron configuration of a potassium ion (K⁺)?

Answer explanation

The electron configuration of a potassium ion (K+) is 1s2 2s2 2p6 3s2 3p6, which is the same as the electron configuration of argon (Ar) since K+ has lost one electron.

Which is the formula of an ionic compound?

• SO₂

• CH₃OH

• CO₂

• KCl

Answer explanation

The formula of an ionic compound is represented by KCl, where K is the cation (potassium) and Cl is the anion (chloride).

Which of the following compounds has the most ionic character?

• KI

• NO

• HCl

• MgS

Answer explanation

Among the given compounds, MgS has the most ionic character due to the large difference in electronegativity between magnesium and sulfur.

Two atoms of element A unite to form a molecule with the formula A₂. The bond between the atoms in the molecule is

• electrovalent

• nonpolar covalent

• ionic

• polar covalent

Answer explanation

Two atoms of element A forming a molecule with the formula A₂ indicates a nonpolar covalent bond between the atoms.

Which kind of bond is formed when two atoms share electrons to form a molecule?

• ionic

• metallic

• electrovalent

• covalent

Answer explanation

When two atoms share electrons to form a molecule, a covalent bond is formed. In a covalent bond, electrons are shared between the atoms.

Which element will form an ion whose radius is larger than its atomic radius?

• F

• Fr

• Ca

• Cs

Answer explanation

The element F will form an ion with a larger radius than its atomic radius due to the addition of extra electrons, resulting in increased electron-electron repulsion and a larger size.

When a reaction occurs between atoms with ground state electron configurations 2–1 and 2–7 the predominant type of bond formed is

• polar covalent

• ionic

• nonpolar covalent

• metallic

Answer explanation

When atoms with ground state electron configurations 2-1 and 2-7 react, the predominant bond formed is ionic due to the transfer of electrons.