Which type of chemical bonding is primarily responsible for the properties of rubber?

• A. Covalent bonding with some van der Waals interactions
• B. Metallic bonding
• C. Hydrogen bonding
• D. Ionic bonding

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the nature of rubber: Rubber is a polymer made up of long chains of molecules (usually hydrocarbons) linked together.
2. Identify the primary bonding within the polymer chains: The atoms within each polymer chain are held together by strong covalent bonds, which form the backbone of the rubber structure.
3. Consider interactions between polymer chains: While covalent bonds hold the chains together internally, the chains themselves interact with each other through weaker van der Waals forces, which influence properties like elasticity.
4. Evaluate other types of bonding: Metallic bonding is typical of metals, ionic bonding occurs between charged ions, and hydrogen bonding involves specific interactions with hydrogen atoms bonded to electronegative atoms; these are not the main contributors to rubber's properties.
5. Conclude that the primary bonding responsible for rubber's properties is covalent bonding within the chains, complemented by van der Waals interactions between chains.