Hydrogen Valency Quiz: Test Your Chemical Bonding Knowledge

Created by ProProfs Editorial Team
The editorial team at ProProfs Quizzes consists of a select group of subject experts, trivia writers, and quiz masters who have authored over 10,000 quizzes taken by more than 100 million users. This team includes our in-house seasoned quiz moderators and subject matter experts. Our editorial experts, spread across the world, are rigorously trained using our comprehensive guidelines to ensure that you receive the highest quality quizzes.
Learn about Our Editorial Process
| By Surajit Dey
Surajit Dey, Quiz Creator
Surajit, a seasoned quiz creator at ProProfs.com, is driven by his passion for knowledge and creativity. Crafting engaging and diverse quizzes, Surajit’s commitment to high-quality standards ensures that users have an enjoyable and informative experience with his quizzes.
Quizzes Created: 545 | Total Attempts: 98,327
Questions: 10 | Attempts: 190

SettingsSettingsSettings
Hydrogen Valency Quiz: Test Your Chemical Bonding Knowledge - Quiz


Discover the intriguing world of chemistry with our Hydrogen Valency Quiz! This quiz delves into the fundamental concept of valency as it pertains to hydrogen, a key element in the periodic table. Valency, in essence, refers to the combining capacity of an element and is crucial in understanding chemical bonding and reactions.

In this quiz, you'll encounter a series of thought-provoking questions designed to test your comprehension of hydrogen's valency in various compounds and scenarios. From simple binary compounds to complex molecules, each question will challenge your understanding of how hydrogen interacts with other elements.

Dive deep into the world of chemical Read morebonding, explore the rules governing valency, and put your skills to the test. Embark on this intellectual journey through the field of chemistry by taking our Hydrogen Valency Quiz today. Challenge yourself, expand your understanding, and emerge with a newfound appreciation for the role of hydrogen in the chemical universe.


Hydrogen Valency Questions and Answers

  • 1. 

    How many electrons can a hydrogen atom bond with to achieve a stable outer shell?

    • A.

      2

    • B.

      1

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      0

    Correct Answer
    B. 1
    Explanation
    A hydrogen atom has only one electron in its outer shell (1s orbital). To achieve a stable outer shell, a hydrogen atom needs to bond with one more electron, which it can acquire through chemical bonding with other atoms. In the case of hydrogen, it typically forms a single covalent bond with another atom, sharing one electron with it. This allows hydrogen to have a stable outer shell resembling the electronic configuration of the noble gas helium (He), which has two electrons in its outer shell.

    Rate this question:

  • 2. 

    Which of the following statements is true about the valency of hydrogen?

    • A.

      It can gain or lose an electron.

    • B.

      It can only gain electrons.

    • C.

      It can only lose electrons.

    • D.

      It has no valency.

    Correct Answer
    A. It can gain or lose an electron.
    Explanation
    The valency of an atom refers to its ability to combine with other atoms through chemical bonding. In the case of hydrogen, it has a valency of 1, meaning it can either gain or lose one electron during chemical reactions. When hydrogen gains an electron, it forms a negative ion (H-), also known as a hydride ion. Conversely, when hydrogen loses its electron, it forms a positive ion (H+), also known as a proton. This ability to either gain or lose an electron makes hydrogen versatile in its bonding behavior, allowing it to participate in various chemical reactions and form numerous compounds with other elements.

    Rate this question:

  • 3. 

    In water (H2O), how many hydrogen atoms are bonded to each oxygen atom?

    • A.

      1

    • B.

      2

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      4

    Correct Answer
    B. 2
    Explanation
    In a water molecule, each oxygen atom is bonded to two hydrogen atoms. This forms a V-shaped or bent molecular structure, with the oxygen atom at the center and the two hydrogen atoms bonded to it at an angle of approximately 104.5 degrees. The bonding between oxygen and hydrogen in water is an example of polar covalent bonding, where the electrons are shared unequally between the atoms due to the difference in their electronegativities. This unequal sharing of electrons results in a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms, creating a polar molecule with a dipole moment.

    Rate this question:

  • 4. 

    What is the common valency of hydrogen in most compounds?

    • A.

      1

    • B.

      2

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      0

    Correct Answer
    A. 1
    Explanation
    The common valency of hydrogen in most compounds is 1. This is because hydrogen has one electron in its outermost shell (1s orbital), and it tends to either lose or gain one electron to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to that of the noble gas helium (He). In most compounds, hydrogen forms one covalent bond with another atom, sharing one electron with it. This is true for many common compounds such as water (H2O), hydrogen chloride (HCl), and methane (CH4). However, it is essential to note that there are exceptions where hydrogen can have a valency other than 1, such as in the case of metal hydrides where hydrogen acts as a hydride ion (H-) with a valency of -1.

    Rate this question:

  • 5. 

    Which of the following elements can form a compound with hydrogen where hydrogen has a positive valency?

    • A.

      Chlorine

    • B.

      Oxygen

    • C.

      Nitrogen

    • D.

      Carbon

    Correct Answer
    D. Carbon
    Explanation
    When hydrogen forms a compound with carbon, it exhibits a positive valency. In such compounds, hydrogen is bonded to carbon via a covalent bond, where the electron pair is shared between the two atoms. Since carbon is more electronegative than hydrogen, it attracts the shared electrons more strongly, resulting in a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom. This is true for various organic compounds, such as hydrocarbons (e.g., methane, CH4), where hydrogen is bonded to carbon and exhibits a positive valency. In contrast, when hydrogen forms compounds with chlorine, oxygen, or nitrogen, it tends to exhibit a negative valency due to the higher electronegativity of these elements compared to hydrogen.  

    Rate this question:

  • 6. 

    When hydrogen reacts with a metal, how many electrons does hydrogen typically lose?

    • A.

      1

    • B.

      2

    • C.

      0

    • D.

      It varies.

    Correct Answer
    A. 1
    Explanation
    When hydrogen reacts with a metal, it typically loses one electron to form a positive ion (H+), also known as a proton. This occurs because metals are generally more electropositive than hydrogen, meaning they have a stronger tendency to lose electrons. As a result, during the reaction, the metal atom donates one or more electrons to the hydrogen atom, causing the hydrogen atom to lose its electron and form a positive ion. This process is known as oxidation, and it is a common type of chemical reaction between metals and nonmetals, including hydrogen. The resulting ionic compound, also called a metal hydride, contains a positively charged metal ion and a negatively charged hydride ion (H-).

    Rate this question:

  • 7. 

    In the compound ammonia (NH3), how many hydrogen atoms are bonded to each nitrogen atom?

    • A.

      1

    • B.

      2

    • C.

      3

    • D.

      4

    Correct Answer
    C. 3
    Explanation
    In the compound ammonia (NH3), each nitrogen atom is bonded to three hydrogen atoms. This forms a trigonal pyramidal molecular structure, with the nitrogen atom at the apex and the three hydrogen atoms bonded to it at the base. The bonding between nitrogen and hydrogen in ammonia is an example of polar covalent bonding, where the electrons are shared unequally between the atoms due to the difference in their electronegativities. This results in a partial negative charge on the nitrogen atom and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms, creating a polar molecule with a dipole moment. Ammonia is an important compound in various industrial, agricultural, and biological processes, and its synthesis via the Haber-Bosch process is a significant achievement in industrial chemistry.

    Rate this question:

  • 8. 

    Which of the following statements about hydrogen bonding is NOT true?

    • A.

      It can occur between hydrogen and oxygen atoms.

    • B.

      It can affect the boiling point of a substance.

    • C.

      It involves a sharing of electrons.

    • D.

      It creates strong bonds between molecules.

    Correct Answer
    D. It creates strong bonds between molecules.
    Explanation
    Hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular force that occurs between molecules containing a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom, such as oxygen, nitrogen, or fluorine. This type of bonding does not involve the sharing of electrons but rather is a result of the electrostatic attraction between the partially positive hydrogen atom of one molecule and the partially negative electronegative atom of another molecule. Hydrogen bonding can significantly influence the physical properties of substances, such as their boiling and melting points, viscosity, and solubility. While hydrogen bonds are stronger than other types of intermolecular forces like van der Waals forces, they are still weaker than the intramolecular covalent bonds that hold atoms together within a molecule.

    Rate this question:

  • 9. 

    How does the valency of hydrogen differ from the valency of most other elements?

    • A.

      It can be positive or negative.

    • B.

      It is always positive.

    • C.

      It is always negative.

    • D.

      It has no valency.

    Correct Answer
    A. It can be positive or negative.
    Explanation
    The valency of hydrogen is unique compared to most other elements because it can be either positive or negative, depending on the type of atom or ion it is bonding with. In many compounds, hydrogen exhibits a positive valency, meaning it behaves as a positive ion (H+) or shares an electron with another atom. This is common in covalent compounds such as water (H2O) and hydrocarbons, as well as in many organic molecules. In these cases, hydrogen tends to lose its electron to the more electronegative atom it is bonded with. On the other hand, hydrogen can also exhibit a negative valency in certain compounds, such as metal hydrides (e.g., sodium hydride, NaH). In these cases, hydrogen acts as a hydride ion (H-), gaining an electron from the metal atom it is bonded with and forming an ionic compound. This versatility in valency makes hydrogen a unique and essential element in numerous chemical reactions and compounds.

    Rate this question:

  • 10. 

    What is the main reason why hydrogen can have a variable valency?

    • A.

      It has only one electron in its outer shell.

    • B.

      It has a high electronegativity.

    • C.

      It is a metal.

    • D.

      It is a noble gas.

    Correct Answer
    A. It has only one electron in its outer shell.
    Explanation
     The main reason hydrogen can have a variable valency is that it has only one electron in its outermost shell (1s orbital). This single electron allows hydrogen to either lose or gain an electron during chemical reactions, depending on the electronegativity of the atom it is interacting with. When hydrogen reacts with a more electronegative element, such as oxygen or nitrogen, it tends to lose its electron, resulting in a positive valency (H+). In contrast, when hydrogen reacts with an electropositive element, such as an alkali metal, it can gain an electron to form a hydride ion (H-), resulting in a negative valency. This flexibility in losing or gaining an electron, made possible by the single electron in its outer shell, enables hydrogen to have a variable valency and participate in a wide range of chemical reactions and compounds.

    Rate this question:

Quiz Review Timeline +

Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.

  • Current Version
  • Mar 21, 2024
    Quiz Edited by
    ProProfs Editorial Team
  • Mar 21, 2024
    Quiz Created by
    Surajit Dey
Back to Top Back to top
Advertisement
×

Wait!
Here's an interesting quiz for you.

We have other quizzes matching your interest.