How can two different nonmetals form a compound?

• A. By forming metallic bonds
• B. By transferring electrons to form an ionic bond
• C. By combining through hydrogen bonding only
• D. By sharing electrons to form a covalent bond

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the types of chemical bonds: metallic, ionic, covalent, and hydrogen bonds, and how they form between atoms.
2. Recall that metallic bonds occur between metal atoms, involving a 'sea of electrons' that are delocalized, which is not typical for nonmetals.
3. Recognize that ionic bonds form when electrons are transferred from a metal to a nonmetal, creating positive and negative ions attracted to each other.
4. Note that hydrogen bonding is a type of intermolecular force, not a primary bond that forms compounds; it occurs between molecules containing hydrogen and electronegative atoms.
5. Conclude that two different nonmetals form compounds by sharing electrons, which creates covalent bonds where electron pairs are shared to achieve stable electron configurations.