Question

1. hydrogen is a strange atom. while it has just one electron in its valence shell, it usually forms covalent, rather than ionic bonds. propose a justification for this phenomenon.

Explanation:

Hydrogen has only one electron. To form an ionic bond, it would need to lose or gain an electron. But losing its only electron would leave it as a bare proton (\(H^+\)), which is highly unstable and has a strong tendency to interact with electron - rich species. Gaining an electron to form \(H^-\) is also not very favorable as hydrogen is small and has a relatively low electron - affinity compared to elements that typically form anions. In covalent bonding, hydrogen can share its electron with another atom, achieving a more stable electron configuration (a duet, similar to the noble gas helium). For example, in \(H_2\), two hydrogen atoms share their electrons.

Answer:

Hydrogen forms covalent bonds rather than ionic bonds because losing its only electron (to form \(H^+\)) makes it a highly unstable bare proton, and gaining an electron (to form \(H^-\)) is not very favorable. In covalent bonding, it can share its electron to achieve a more stable electron configuration (a duet).