Multiple Choice
How many covalent bonds does a carbon atom typically form if each of its unpaired electrons participates in one bond?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
Multiple Choice
What is the maximum number of covalent bonds that an element with atomic number 8 (oxygen) can form with hydrogen atoms?
A
3
B
4
C
1
D
2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the element with atomic number 8, which is oxygen. Recall that oxygen has 6 valence electrons because it is in group 16 of the periodic table.
Determine the number of electrons oxygen needs to complete its octet. Since a full octet is 8 electrons, oxygen needs 2 more electrons to reach a stable configuration.
Understand that covalent bonds are formed by sharing electrons. Each covalent bond corresponds to a pair of shared electrons between atoms.
Since oxygen needs 2 electrons to complete its octet, it can form 2 covalent bonds with hydrogen atoms, each hydrogen providing 1 electron.
Conclude that the maximum number of covalent bonds oxygen can form with hydrogen atoms is 2, consistent with the stable electronic configuration of oxygen.
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