Which type of bond is most likely to form between vanadium atoms in a pure vanadium sample?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Metallic bond
• C. Ionic bond
• D. Hydrogen bond

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Identify the nature of the elements involved. Since the problem involves vanadium atoms in a pure sample, we are dealing with a single type of metal element.
2. Step 2: Recall the types of chemical bonds: covalent bonds typically form between nonmetals sharing electrons; ionic bonds form between metals and nonmetals through electron transfer; hydrogen bonds are weak interactions involving hydrogen and electronegative atoms; metallic bonds occur between metal atoms sharing a 'sea' of delocalized electrons.
3. Step 3: Understand that in a pure metal sample like vanadium, atoms are arranged in a lattice where valence electrons are not localized to any one atom but move freely throughout the structure.
4. Step 4: Recognize that this 'sea of electrons' allows metal atoms to bond together through metallic bonding, which explains properties like electrical conductivity and malleability in metals.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the most likely bond type between vanadium atoms in a pure sample is a metallic bond.