Figure A and Figure B represent examples of different types of chemical bonding. Identify which of the descriptions and properties listed below that best represent each figure. All of the descriptions and properties may not be used.
nonpolar covalent, transfer of electrons, polar covalent, Na-Cl bond, N-H bond, unequal sharing of electrons, ionic, equal sharing of electrons, Cl-Cl bond
The Correct Answer And Eplanation is
To correctly identify and explain the types of bonding in Figure A and Figure B, we’ll match the correct descriptions and properties to each based on common characteristics of chemical bonds.
Figure A: Ionic Bond
Correct Descriptions for Figure A:
- Transfer of electrons
- Ionic
- Na-Cl bond
Explanation:
Figure A most likely represents an ionic bond, a type of chemical bond formed through the transfer of electrons from one atom to another. In ionic bonding, one atom (typically a metal like sodium, Na) loses one or more electrons to become a positively charged ion (cation), while the other atom (typically a nonmetal like chlorine, Cl) gains those electrons to become a negatively charged ion (anion). This results in an electrostatic attraction between the oppositely charged ions.
A classic example of this is the Na-Cl bond (sodium chloride). Sodium has one electron in its outer shell and readily donates it to chlorine, which needs one electron to complete its valence shell. This process creates Na⁺ and Cl⁻ ions, which form a stable ionic compound through attraction.
Figure B: Covalent Bond
Correct Descriptions for Figure B:
- Unequal sharing of electrons
- Polar covalent
- N-H bond
Explanation:
Figure B likely represents a polar covalent bond, where two atoms share electrons, but unequally. This occurs when there is a difference in electronegativity between the atoms involved — one atom pulls the shared electrons closer to itself.
An example of a polar covalent bond is the N-H bond (found in ammonia, NH₃). Nitrogen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the shared electrons spend more time closer to the nitrogen atom. This creates a partial negative charge on nitrogen and a partial positive charge on hydrogen, giving the molecule a dipole moment.
Summary of Correct Matches:
| Figure | Bond Type | Descriptions and Properties |
|---|---|---|
| A | Ionic | Transfer of electrons, Na-Cl bond, ionic |
| B | Polar Covalent | Unequal sharing of electrons, N-H bond, polar covalent |
These distinctions help explain differences in physical properties such as melting points, solubility, and electrical conductivity between ionic and covalent compounds.