Which element will most likely form covalent bonds with fluorine?

• A. Carbon
• B. Sodium
• C. Magnesium
• D. Potassium

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the nature of fluorine and its bonding preferences. Fluorine is a highly electronegative nonmetal that typically forms covalent bonds by sharing electrons with other nonmetals.
2. Step 2: Identify the types of elements given in the options: Carbon is a nonmetal, while Sodium, Magnesium, and Potassium are metals.
3. Step 3: Recall that metals tend to form ionic bonds by transferring electrons to nonmetals, whereas nonmetals tend to form covalent bonds by sharing electrons.
4. Step 4: Analyze the bonding behavior of carbon: Carbon has four valence electrons and commonly forms covalent bonds by sharing electrons to complete its octet.
5. Step 5: Conclude that carbon is the element most likely to form covalent bonds with fluorine, since both are nonmetals and share electrons rather than transferring them.