Take The Covalent Bonding Practice Quiz!

1. Why do nonmetals covalently bond?

They want to create new chemical compounds.

They want full electron shells.

Because it's nature.

Nonmetals covalently bond because they want to achieve full electron shells. Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, allowing each atom to fill its outermost electron shell and attain a stable electron configuration. Nonmetals typically have higher electronegativity and tend to gain or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration with a full outer shell, usually consisting of eight electrons. This sharing of electrons allows nonmetals to form new chemical compounds and achieve greater stability.

Explanation

Nonmetals covalently bond because they want to achieve full electron shells. Covalent bonding involves the sharing of electrons between atoms, allowing each atom to fill its outermost electron shell and attain a stable electron configuration. Nonmetals typically have higher electronegativity and tend to gain or share electrons to achieve a stable configuration with a full outer shell, usually consisting of eight electrons. This sharing of electrons allows nonmetals to form new chemical compounds and achieve greater stability.

2. Nitrogen has an electron configuration of 2,8,5. Chlorine has an electron configuration of 2,8,7. How many electrons do both elements need to get full outer shell?

Nitrogen needs 6, Chlorine needs 3

Nitrogen needs 3, Chlorine needs 2

Nitrogen needs 3, Chlorine needs 1

A full outer shell has 8 electrons.
Nitrogen has 5 out of 8, Chlorine has 7 out of 8.
Nitrogen needs 3, Chlorine needs 1.

Explanation

A full outer shell has 8 electrons.
Nitrogen has 5 out of 8, Chlorine has 7 out of 8.
Nitrogen needs 3, Chlorine needs 1.

3. Neon has an electron configuration of 2,8. Carbon has an electron configuration of 2,4. What will the chemical formula be?

C2Ne

There will be no chemical formula.

Ne2C2

There will be no chemical formula.
Why? Neon already has a full electron shell. It's not going to want to bond with Carbon.
No covalent bonding here!

Explanation

There will be no chemical formula.
Why? Neon already has a full electron shell. It's not going to want to bond with Carbon.
No covalent bonding here!

4. What is an example of a diatomic molecule?

Sulphur and Oxygen bond to create SO2.

Nitrogen and Nitrogen bond to create N3.

Oxygen and Oxygen bond to create O2.

Diatomic molecules are when TWO ATOMS of an element bond. O2 is a diatomic molecule because there are two atoms of oxygen.
Two atoms of Nitrogen cannot create N3 - it is not a diatomic molecule. Three atoms of Nitrogen can create N3, however - this is called a triatomic molecule.

Explanation

Diatomic molecules are when TWO ATOMS of an element bond. O2 is a diatomic molecule because there are two atoms of oxygen.
Two atoms of Nitrogen cannot create N3 - it is not a diatomic molecule. Three atoms of Nitrogen can create N3, however - this is called a triatomic molecule.

5. Covalent bonds do not conduct electricity.

True

False

Covalent compounds do NOT conduct electricity. All of the electrons in the outer shells are fixed between specific atoms, so they are locked into place and therefore cannot pass charges.

Explanation

Covalent compounds do NOT conduct electricity. All of the electrons in the outer shells are fixed between specific atoms, so they are locked into place and therefore cannot pass charges.

6. Covalent bonding the transferring of outer electrons between nonmetals.

True

False

False. It is the SHARING of outer electrons between nonmetals.

Explanation

False. It is the SHARING of outer electrons between nonmetals.

7. Nitrogen and Chlorine covalently bond. What is the chemical formula?

NCl3

N3Cl

NCl

Since one atom of Nitrogen needs 3 electrons and one of Chlorine only needs 1....
Simply bring another two atoms of Chlorine in.
Nitrogen will get 3 electrons, 1 each from the three atoms of chlorine
And the 3 atoms of chlorine will get 1 electron each from Nitrogen.
So, Nitrogen TriChloride's formula is NCl3.

Explanation

Since one atom of Nitrogen needs 3 electrons and one of Chlorine only needs 1....
Simply bring another two atoms of Chlorine in.
Nitrogen will get 3 electrons, 1 each from the three atoms of chlorine
And the 3 atoms of chlorine will get 1 electron each from Nitrogen.
So, Nitrogen TriChloride's formula is NCl3.