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SingaporeCombined ScienceQuick questions
Chemistry: Atoms, Bonding and the Mole
Quick questions on Chemical bonding explained: O-Level Combined Science
7short Q&A pairs drawn directly from our worked dot-point answer. For full context and worked exam questions, read the parent dot-point page.
What is ionic bonding?Show answer
Ionic bonding occurs between a metal and a non-metal. The metal atom loses its outer electrons to form a positive ion; the non-metal atom gains them to form a negative ion. The oppositely charged ions attract strongly, and this electrostatic attraction is the ionic bond. For example, sodium gives one electron to chlorine to form and .
What is covalent bonding?Show answer
Covalent bonding occurs between non-metal atoms. The atoms share pairs of electrons so that each effectively gains a full outer shell. A shared pair is a single covalent bond. For example, two hydrogen atoms share a pair to form , and oxygen and hydrogen share pairs in water, .
What are properties of ionic compounds?Show answer
Ionic compounds form giant lattices of ions held by many strong forces, giving:
What are properties of simple molecular substances?Show answer
Simple covalent (molecular) substances have strong bonds within molecules but weak forces between molecules, giving:
What is q1?Show answer
State the type of bonding you expect between a metal and a non-metal. [1 mark]
What is q2?Show answer
Explain why a simple molecular substance such as iodine has a low melting point. [2 marks]
What is q3?Show answer
Explain why molten sodium chloride conducts electricity but solid sodium chloride does not. [2 marks]
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