September 3, 2015

Homework Help: Chemistry-Bonding

Posted by Mary on Friday, November 13, 2009 at 11:35pm.

Classify the following bonds as ionic, covalent, or neither (O, atomic number 8; F, atomic number 9; Na, atomic number 11; Cl, atomic number 17; U, atomic number 92).

a.) O with F _________

b.) Ca with Cl __________

c.) Na with Na _________

d.) U with Cl __________

First, I do not understand what the atomic number has to do with the type of bonding. Second, I learned that an atom that has only a few electrons in its valence shell will readily give up its electrons to form an ionic bond with an atom that has a mostly full valence shell. Covalent bonds tend to form between elements that both have a strong hold on their electrons. So, I would say the answers should be: a) O with F is covalent since they both have most of their electrons in their valence shells; b) Ca with Cl is ionic since CA only has 2 out of 18 electrons in its valence shell and so would have a weak attraction on them, while Cl has 7 out of 8 electrons and so would have a strong attraction for one of Ca's extra electrons; c) Na with Na would be neither, since each has a weak attraction for electrons; d) U with Cl would be either ionic because U has only 6 out of 32 electrons in its valence shell which would be attracted by the Cl, or neither because they would both hold onto their electrons.

Is this right? Thanks!

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