Multiple Choice
Oxygen molecules (O_2) are formed when two oxygen atoms share electrons to create a covalent bond. How is the bonding in sodium chloride (NaCl) different from that in oxygen?
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11. Bonding & Molecular Structure
Chemical Bonds
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Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first videoMultiple Choice
Which one of the following bonds has the least ionic character?
A
Mg–O
B
H–H
C
K–F
D
Na–Cl
Verified step by step guidance1
Understand that ionic character in a bond depends on the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms involved. The greater the difference, the more ionic the bond is.
Recall the electronegativity values of the elements involved: Hydrogen (H) ~2.1, Oxygen (O) ~3.5, Magnesium (Mg) ~1.2, Potassium (K) ~0.8, Fluorine (F) ~4.0, Sodium (Na) ~0.9, Chlorine (Cl) ~3.0.
Calculate or estimate the electronegativity differences for each bond: Mg–O, H–H, K–F, and Na–Cl by subtracting the smaller value from the larger one.
Compare the electronegativity differences: the bond with the smallest difference will have the least ionic character, meaning it is the most covalent or nonpolar bond.
Recognize that the H–H bond involves two identical atoms, so the electronegativity difference is zero, making it a purely covalent bond with the least ionic character.
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