Question 1

Which of the following best describes a valence electron?

Accepted Answer

An electron in the outermost shell of an atom that can participate in chemical bonding.

Question 2

What is the main reason elements in the same group of the periodic table have similar chemical properties?

Accepted Answer

They have the same electron-dot structure, indicating similar valence electron configurations.

Question 3

When a sodium atom (Na, atomic number 11) loses one electron, which noble gas does it resemble in terms of electron configuration?

Accepted Answer

Neon (Ne, atomic number 10)

Question 4

Which of the following best defines an ionic bond?

Accepted Answer

The electrical force of attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Question 5

What is the correct chemical formula for a compound made of aluminum ions ($$\mathrm{Al$$^{3+}$$}) $$and oxygen ions ($$\mathrm{O$$^{2-}$$}$$)?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{Al_2O_3}$$

Question 6

Which property of metals is explained by the mobility of their outer electrons?

Accepted Answer

Electrical conductivity

Question 7

How many covalent bonds can an oxygen atom typically form, and why?

Accepted Answer

Two, because it has two unpaired valence electrons.

Question 8

Which of the following molecules is nonpolar, despite containing polar bonds?

Accepted Answer

$$\mathrm{CO_2$}$$

Question 9

Why does water ($$\mathrm{H_2O}) $$have a relatively high boiling point compared to other molecules of similar size?

Accepted Answer

Because water molecules are so sticky due to strong intermolecular attractions.

Question 10

Which type of molecular attraction is responsible for the solubility of oxygen ($$\mathrm{O_2$}) in $$water ($$\mathrm{H_2O}$$)?

Accepted Answer

Dipole-induced dipole attractions

Question 11

Which of the following best describes electronegativity?

Accepted Answer

The ability of a bonded atom to pull shared electrons toward itself.

Question 12

Which of the following is the weakest type of molecular attraction?

Accepted Answer

Induced dipole-induced dipole attractions

Question 13

A fish can 'drown' in water if:

Accepted Answer

The water contains too little dissolved oxygen.

Question 14

Which of the following statements about metallic bonds is correct?

Accepted Answer

Metallic bonds result from the attraction between positive metal ions and a 'sea' of delocalized electrons.

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why Teflon provides a non-stick surface?

Accepted Answer

Teflon molecules are nonpolar and have very weak induced dipole-induced dipole attractions.

Question 16

Which of the following is a real-world example of an ion-dipole attraction?

Accepted Answer

The dissolution of table salt ($$\mathrm{NaCl}) in $$water.

Question 17

Which of the following molecules is heavier: carbon dioxide ($$\mathrm{CO_2$}) or $$water ($$\mathrm{H_2O}$$)?

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide ($$\mathrm{CO_2$})$$

Question 18

Which of the following best describes a covalent bond?

Accepted Answer

A type of electrical attraction in which atoms are held together by their mutual attraction for shared electrons.

Question 19

Which of the following statements about molecular polarity is correct?

Accepted Answer

If polar bonds within a molecule are facing in equal and opposite directions, the molecule may be nonpolar.

Question 20

Which of the following best explains why larger atoms tend to have stronger induced dipole-induced dipole attractions?

Accepted Answer

Larger atoms have more electrons, which increases the strength of temporary dipoles.

How Atoms Bond and Molecules Attract: Chemical Bonding and Molecular Interactions

Study Guide - Practice Questions