Chemical Bonding Flashcards

A comprehensive set of practice questions covering the fundamentals of chemical bonding, including ionic and covalent models, naming conventions, polyatomic ions, and VSEPR molecular geometry.

What is a chemical bond?

An attractive force that holds atoms or ions together, generally resulting in a more stable electron arrangement.

What are the three main types of chemical bonds?

1. IONIC BONDS, 2. COVALENT BONDS, 3. METALLIC BONDS

How are principal energy levels represented in an atom?

By the variable $n$, where $n = 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7$.

What is the maximum number of electrons that each orbital can hold?

$2$ electrons.

Identify the maximum number of electrons for each sublevel: s, p, d, and f.

$s = 2$, $p = 6$, $d = 10$, and $f = 14$.

What are valence electrons and why are they important?

They are electrons located in the outermost occupied energy level; they are important for chemical bonding, ion formation, chemical reactions, and determining chemical properties.

What does the octet rule state?

Many atoms tend to gain, lose, or share electrons to achieve $8$ electrons in their outermost occupied shell, similar to the arrangement of a noble gas.

What is an ionic bond?

The electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions, usually occurring between a metal and a nonmetal.

How do metals and nonmetals differ in ion formation?

Metals tend to lose electrons to form positively charged cations, while nonmetals tend to gain electrons to form negatively charged anions.

What are the steps for naming a binary ionic compound?

Step 1: Name the metal (cation) first. Step 2: Name the nonmetal (anion) second. Step 3: Change the ending of the nonmetal to -ide.

What are variable-charge metals?

Metals that can form more than one possible charge, such as $Fe^{2+}$ and $Fe^{3+}$, which require Roman numerals in their names.

What is a polyatomic ion?

A group of two or more covalently bonded atoms that carries an overall electrical charge and behaves as a single unit.

What is the chemical formula and charge of the hydroxide ion?

$OH^{-}$ with a charge of $-1$.

What is the chemical formula and charge of the sulfate ion?

$SO_4^{2-}$ with a charge of $-2$.

Define a covalent bond.

A chemical bond formed when two atoms share one or more pairs of electrons.

How do ionic and covalent bonds differ regarding electron behavior?

In ionic bonds, electrons are transferred; in covalent bonds, electrons are shared.

What is a Lewis symbol?

A representation of an atom's valence electrons as dots around its chemical symbol.

What is the difference between a single, double, and triple covalent bond?

A single bond shares $1$ pair (2 electrons), a double bond shares $2$ pairs (4 electrons), and a triple bond shares $3$ pairs (6 electrons).

What is the core principle of the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory?

Electron groups around a central atom repel one another and arrange themselves as far apart as possible.

What counts as one 'electron domain' in molecular geometry?

A single bond, a double bond, a triple bond, or a lone pair each count as one electron domain.

Describe the linear geometry arrangement.

It consists of $2$ electron domains with a bond angle of $180^\text{o}$, such as in $CO_2$.

Describe the tetrahedral geometry arrangement.

It consists of $4$ electron domains with an ideal bond angle of $109.5^\text{o}$, such as in $CH_4$.

What is the difference between trigonal pyramidal and bent geometry?

Trigonal pyramidal has $3$ bonding pairs and $1$ lone pair, while bent geometry has $2$ bonding pairs and $2$ lone pairs.