Question 1

Which of the following statements best explains why sodium (Na) forms a cation (Na⁺) in ionic compounds?
Correct answer: Sodium has one valence electron, which it loses to achieve a stable noble gas configuration.

Accepted Answer

Sodium has one valence electron, which it loses to achieve a stable noble gas configuration.

Question 2

Which of the following pairs of elements is most likely to form an ionic bond?
Correct answer: Sodium and Chlorine

Accepted Answer

Sodium and Chlorine

Question 3

A student draws the Lewis dot symbol for the oxide ion (O²⁻). Which of the following is correct?
Correct answer: O with eight dots and a 2− charge

Accepted Answer

O with eight dots and a 2− charge

Question 4

Which property of metals is best explained by the 'sea of electrons' model of metallic bonding?
Correct answer: Ability to conduct electricity

Accepted Answer

Ability to conduct electricity

Question 5

Given the following electronegativities: H (2.1), Cl (3.0), and Na (0.9), which bond is the most polar?
Correct answer: Na–Cl

Accepted Answer

Na–Cl

Question 6

Which molecule is expected to have a dipole moment?
Correct answer: HCl

Accepted Answer

HCl

Question 7

Which of the following best describes the octet rule?
Correct answer: Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve eight valence electrons.

Accepted Answer

Atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve eight valence electrons.

Question 8

Which of the following elements is most likely to have an expanded octet in a stable compound?
Correct answer: Phosphorus

Accepted Answer

Phosphorus

Question 9

A student is asked to calculate the formal charge on the central atom in the Lewis structure of SO₄²⁻ (sulfate ion). Which formula should they use?
Correct answer: Formal Charge = Valence Electrons − (Nonbonding Electrons + Bonding Electrons/2)

Accepted Answer

Formal Charge = Valence Electrons − (Nonbonding Electrons + Bonding Electrons/2)

Question 10

Which of the following best explains why water (H₂O) is a polar molecule?
Correct answer: The molecule is bent and oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

Accepted Answer

The molecule is bent and oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

Question 11

Which of the following is the correct Lewis dot symbol for a magnesium ion (Mg²⁺)?
Correct answer: Mg with no dots and a 2+ charge

Accepted Answer

Mg with no dots and a 2+ charge

Question 12

Which of the following best describes the difference between ionic and covalent bonding?
Correct answer: Ionic bonding involves transferring electrons; covalent bonding involves sharing electrons.

Accepted Answer

Ionic bonding involves transferring electrons; covalent bonding involves sharing electrons.

Question 13

Which of the following molecules is most likely to have a nonpolar covalent bond?
Correct answer: O₂

Accepted Answer

O₂

Question 14

A patient is given a saline solution containing NaCl. Which type of bonding is present in the solid NaCl before it dissolves?
Correct answer: Ionic bonding

Accepted Answer

Ionic bonding

Question 15

Which of the following best explains why metals are malleable?
Correct answer: The sea of delocalized electrons allows metal ions to slide past each other.

Accepted Answer

The sea of delocalized electrons allows metal ions to slide past each other.

Question 16

Which of the following is the correct order of increasing electronegativity?
Correct answer: C \u003c N \u003c O \u003c F

Accepted Answer

C \u003c N \u003c O \u003c F

Question 17

Which of the following best describes the bonding in a sample of copper metal?
Correct answer: Metallic bonding with delocalized electrons

Accepted Answer

Metallic bonding with delocalized electrons

Question 18

Which of the following scenarios would require calculating formal charges to determine the most stable Lewis structure?
Correct answer: Drawing the Lewis structure for the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻)

Accepted Answer

Drawing the Lewis structure for the nitrate ion (NO₃⁻)

Question 19

Which of the following best explains why the dipole arrow in a polar bond points toward the more electronegative atom?
Correct answer: The more electronegative atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly.

Accepted Answer

The more electronegative atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly.

Question 20

Which of the following is a correct application of the octet rule in a real-world context?
Correct answer: Carbon dioxide (CO₂) forms because carbon and oxygen both achieve eight valence electrons through double bonds.

Accepted Answer

Carbon dioxide (CO₂) forms because carbon and oxygen both achieve eight valence electrons through double bonds.

Key Concepts in Chemical Bonding and Lewis Structures

Study Guide - Practice Questions

Study Guide - Flashcards