Chapter 18, Problem 4RAT

Atoms of metallic elements can form ionic bonds, but they are not very good at forming covalent bonds. Why?

(a) These atoms are too large to be able to come in close contact with other atoms.

(b) They have a great tendency to lose electrons.

(c) Their valence shells are already filled with electrons.

(d) They are on the wrong side of the periodic table.

Solution

To determine: The correct option for the statement “Atoms of metallic elements can form ionic bonds, but they are not very good at forming covalent bonds. Why?”

Answer:

The correct option for the statement “Atoms of metallic elements can form ionic bonds, but they are not very good at forming covalent bonds. Why?” is option (b).

Explanation:

Atom is basically neutral and possesses zero net charge. When there exists net charge on any atom, it is considered as an ion.

The ions containing exactly opposite charge basically attract each other and thus generate the ionic bond. In ionic bonding, the electrons get transferred.

Covalent bond gets formed when the electrons get shared between involved atoms.

The atoms of metallic elements for example alkali metals as well as alkali earth metals are basically electropositive and they can easily lose their electrons to attain stable configuration. So, they only generate ionic bond and cannot form covalent bonds easily.

Thus, atoms of metallic elements possess tendency to furnish electrons so that they can form ionic bonds but are not good at forming covalent bonds.

Conclusion:

Therefore, the correct option for the statement “Atoms of metallic elements can form ionic bonds, but they are not very good at forming covalent bonds. Why?” is option (b).