Question

storyline 1 exam
which of the following statements about covalent bonds are true? select all that apply.
covalent bonds hold ionic compounds together.
covalent bonds form when atoms of nonmetals are close enough to each other for their orbitals to overlap.
covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple bonds.
covalent bonds are comprised of metal atoms that share at least some of their valence electrons.
covalent bonds hold the atoms together in discrete molecules.

Explanation:

• Ionic bonds hold ionic compounds together, not covalent bonds. So the first statement is false.
• Covalent bonds form when non - metal atoms (their orbitals overlap) share electrons. This makes the second statement true.
• Covalent bonds can indeed be single (e.g., \(H - H\)), double (e.g., \(O = O\)) or triple (e.g., \(N\equiv N\)). So the third statement is true.
• Covalent bonds are between non - metal atoms (not metal atoms) that share valence electrons. The fourth statement is false.
• In discrete molecules (e.g., \(H_2O\), \(CO_2\)), covalent bonds hold the atoms together. The fifth statement is true.

Answer:

• B. Covalent bonds form when atoms of nonmetals are close enough to each other for their orbitals to overlap.
• C. Covalent bonds can be single, double, or triple bonds.
• E. Covalent bonds hold the atoms together in discrete molecules.