Which type of chemical bond is primarily responsible for atoms combining to form molecules?

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

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that chemical bonds are forces that hold atoms together in molecules or compounds.
2. Recognize that ionic bonds form between metals and nonmetals through the transfer of electrons, creating ions, but these typically form ionic compounds rather than molecules.
3. Know that metallic bonds occur between metal atoms, where electrons are delocalized, forming a 'sea of electrons' and resulting in metallic properties, not discrete molecules.
4. Identify that hydrogen bonds are weak interactions between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom; these are intermolecular forces, not primary bonds forming molecules.
5. Conclude that covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, allowing them to combine and form discrete molecules, making covalent bonds the primary type responsible for molecule formation.