Textbook Question
What general trends in electronegativity occur in the periodic table?
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Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures
McMurry8th EditionChemistryISBN: 9781292336145
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Table of contents
- Ch.1 - Chemical Tools: Experimentation & Measurement143
- Ch.2 - Atoms, Molecules & Ions134
- Ch.3 - Mass Relationships in Chemical Reactions149
- Ch.4 - Reactions in Aqueous Solution157
- Ch.5 - Periodicity & Electronic Structure of Atoms92
- Ch.6 - Ionic Compounds: Periodic Trends and Bonding Theory73
- Ch.7 - Covalent Bonding and Electron-Dot Structures47
- Ch.8 - Covalent Compounds: Bonding Theories and Molecular Structure51
- Ch.9 - Thermochemistry: Chemical Energy104
- Ch.10 - Gases: Their Properties & Behavior138
- Ch.11 - Liquids & Phase Changes43
- Ch.12 - Solids and Solid-State Materials56
- Ch.13 - Solutions & Their Properties98
- Ch.14 - Chemical Kinetics79
- Ch.15 - Chemical Equilibrium107
- Ch.16 - Aqueous Equilibria: Acids & Bases94
- Ch.17 - Applications of Aqueous Equilibria125
- Ch.18 - Thermodynamics: Entropy, Free Energy & Equilibrium66
- Ch.19 - Electrochemistry130
- Ch.20 - Nuclear Chemistry73
- Ch.21 - Transition Elements and Coordination Chemistry122
- Ch.22 - The Main Group Elements155
- Ch.23 - Organic and Biological Chemistry43
Chapter 7, Problem 41
Why do two atoms come together to form a covalent bond?(a) Attractive forces between the positively charged nuclei and the electrons in both atoms occur when the atoms are close together.(b) Repulsive forces between protons in the nuclei of the two atoms are minimized when the atoms are close together.(c) Repulsive forces between electrons in the two atoms are minimized when the atoms are close together.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the nature of a covalent bond: A covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons between two atoms.
Consider the forces at play: In a covalent bond, attractive forces between the positively charged nuclei of the atoms and the negatively charged electrons are significant.
Evaluate option (a): Attractive forces between the positively charged nuclei and the electrons in both atoms occur when the atoms are close together. This is a key characteristic of covalent bonding.
Evaluate option (b): Repulsive forces between protons in the nuclei are not minimized; rather, they are balanced by the attractive forces between electrons and nuclei.
Evaluate option (c): Repulsive forces between electrons are not minimized; they are balanced by the attractive forces between electrons and nuclei, allowing the atoms to share electrons effectively.
Key Concepts
Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Covalent Bonding
Covalent bonding occurs when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons, allowing them to achieve a more stable electron configuration. This type of bond typically forms between nonmetals and is characterized by the overlap of atomic orbitals, leading to the formation of a molecule. The shared electrons create a balance between attractive and repulsive forces, stabilizing the bond.
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02:03
Chemical Bonds
Attractive and Repulsive Forces
In atomic interactions, attractive forces arise between the positively charged nuclei of atoms and the negatively charged electrons. Conversely, repulsive forces occur between like charges, such as protons in the nuclei or electrons in the electron clouds. The balance of these forces is crucial in determining the stability of a bond; attractive forces promote bonding, while repulsive forces can hinder it.
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00:47Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory
Minimization of Energy
Atoms tend to bond in a way that minimizes their potential energy, leading to a more stable arrangement. When two atoms approach each other, the attractive forces can outweigh the repulsive forces at an optimal distance, resulting in a lower energy state. This energy minimization is a driving force behind the formation of covalent bonds, as atoms seek to achieve stability through electron sharing.
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01:26Nature of Energy
Related Practice
Textbook Question
Match the following descriptions with the type of bond (ionic, nonpolar covalent, covalent). (a) One or more electrons are transferred from a metal to a nonmetal atom.
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Textbook Question
Electrostatic potential maps of acetaldehyde (C2H4), ethane (C2H6), ethanol (C2H6O), and fluorethane (C2H5F) are shown. Which do you think is which? (a)
(b)
(c)
(d)
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Textbook Question
Explain the difference in the bond dissociation energies for the following bonds: (C-F, 450 kJ/mol), (N-F, 270 kJ/mol), (O-F, 180 kJ/mol), (F-F, 159 kJ/mol).
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Textbook Question
The following ball-and-stick molecular model is a representation of thalidomide, a drug that causes birth defects when taken by expectant mothers but is valuable for its use against leprosy. The lines indicate only the connections between atoms, not whether the bonds are single, double, or triple. (Red = O, gray = C, blue = N, ivory = H). Give the formula of thalidomide, and indicate the positions of multiple bonds and lone pairs.
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