Chemical Bonding Quiz

Grade 10 · Science · Quiz

Test your understanding of ionic, covalent, and metallic bonds, and how bond type determines molecular properties.

Questions

1. Which type of bond forms when one atom transfers electrons to another?

   1. Covalent bond
   2. Metallic bond
   3. Ionic bond
   4. Hydrogen bond
   Show answer

   Answer: Ionic bond

   Ionic bonds form when one atom donates electrons and another accepts them, creating oppositely charged ions that attract each other.

2. A molecule of water (H2O) is held together by which type of bond?

   1. Ionic bonds
   2. Polar covalent bonds
   3. Nonpolar covalent bonds
   4. Metallic bonds
   Show answer

   Answer: Polar covalent bonds

   Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so electrons are not shared equally — creating a polar covalent bond with partial charges on each atom.

3. In an ionic compound, the element that loses electrons becomes a negatively charged ion (anion).

   Show answer

   Answer: False

   The atom that loses electrons loses negative charge, so it becomes positively charged (a cation, not an anion). The atom that gains electrons becomes the anion.

4. Which property is characteristic of ionic compounds?

   1. Low melting point
   2. They conduct electricity when dissolved in water
   3. They are made of individual molecules
   4. They are good insulators in all states
   Show answer

   Answer: They conduct electricity when dissolved in water

   When dissolved in water (aqueous solution) or melted, ionic compounds dissociate into free ions that can carry electric current.

5. The sharing of two pairs of electrons between atoms creates a:

   1. Single bond
   2. Double bond
   3. Triple bond
   4. Ionic bond
   Show answer

   Answer: Double bond

   A double bond involves two shared pairs (4 electrons total) between two atoms, represented by a double line in structural formulas.

6. The electronegativity difference between two bonded atoms is 2.5. What type of bond is most likely formed?

   1. Nonpolar covalent
   2. Polar covalent
   3. Ionic
   4. Metallic
   Show answer

   Answer: Ionic

   An electronegativity difference greater than about 1.7 is conventionally classified as ionic. A difference of 2.5 strongly favors electron transfer and ionic bonding.

7. In metallic bonding, electrons are not tied to individual atoms but instead form a shared 'sea' of ___.

   Show answer

   Answer: electrons

   Metallic bonding is characterized by a 'sea of delocalized electrons' that can flow freely, explaining metals' electrical conductivity and malleability.

8. A nonpolar covalent bond forms between two atoms of the same element because they have equal electronegativity.

   Show answer

   Answer: True

   When two identical atoms bond (e.g., H2, O2), their electronegativity values are equal, so electrons are shared perfectly equally — a nonpolar covalent bond.

Get a personalized course on Chemical Bonding built around your child.