Fluorine is in Group 17 of the periodic table. Two fluorine atoms bond to form highly reactive fluorine gas, F2. Which statement about the bond between the fluorine atoms is correct?
Responses
The bond is polar.
The atoms share two valence electrons.
The bonded atoms have a negative charge.
The bond is ionic.
The bond between the fluorine atoms is nonpolar because both atoms have the same electronegativity value and they share the two valence electrons equally.
So is the answer The atoms share two valence electrons.?
Yes, the correct statement is "The atoms share two valence electrons."
In order to determine which statement about the bond between the fluorine atoms is correct, we need to understand the nature of the bond.
First, let's find the group number of fluorine on the periodic table, which is Group 17. Group 17 elements are known as halogens, and they have seven valence electrons.
Fluorine, being a halogen, has seven valence electrons. In order to achieve a full octet (8 valence electrons), fluorine needs to gain one electron. However, if two fluorine atoms come together, they can share a pair of electrons in a covalent bond, enabling both atoms to achieve a full octet.
Based on this information, we can now assess the statements individually:
1. The bond is polar: This statement is incorrect because a polar bond occurs when there is an unequal sharing of electrons between two atoms. However, in the case of fluorine, the two atoms share a pair of electrons equally, resulting in a nonpolar covalent bond.
2. The atoms share two valence electrons: This statement is incorrect. Each fluorine atom contributes one valence electron to the shared pair of electrons, so the correct statement would be that the atoms share one pair of valence electrons.
3. The bonded atoms have a negative charge: This statement is also incorrect. The shared pair of electrons between the two fluorine atoms does not give a negative charge to either atom. Instead, it allows both atoms to achieve a stable configuration, fulfilling the octet rule.
4. The bond is ionic: This statement is incorrect. An ionic bond occurs when there is a transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions. In the case of fluorine, the electrons are shared, making it a covalent bond.
Therefore, the correct statement about the bond between the fluorine atoms is: The atoms share a pair of valence electrons.