Covalent bonding (with an electronegativity difference below 0.5) results when fluorine bonds with
A. hydrogen
B. potassium
C. iodine
D. fluorine
Wouldn't you expect the difference to be zero if F bonds with itself? And that's < 0.5
what do u mean?
To determine which element fluorine (F) would most likely form a covalent bond with, we need to consider its electronegativity value. Electronegativity is the measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
Fluorine is a highly electronegative element with an electronegativity value of 3.98 on the Pauling scale. When the difference in electronegativity values between two elements in a bond is below 0.5, it suggests a covalent bond because neither element has a significantly stronger attraction for electrons.
Now, let's consider the given options:
A. Hydrogen: Hydrogen has an electronegativity value of 2.2, which is significantly lower than fluorine's value. The electronegativity difference between hydrogen and fluorine (3.98 - 2.2 = 1.78) is above 0.5, indicating an ionic bond, rather than a covalent bond. Therefore, fluorine does not form a covalent bond with hydrogen.
B. Potassium: Potassium has an electronegativity value of 0.82, which is significantly lower than fluorine's value. The electronegativity difference between potassium and fluorine (3.98 - 0.82 = 3.16) is much higher than 0.5, indicating an ionic bond, rather than a covalent bond. Therefore, fluorine does not form a covalent bond with potassium.
C. Iodine: Iodine has an electronegativity value of 2.66, which is lower than fluorine's value, but not significantly lower. The electronegativity difference between iodine and fluorine (3.98 - 2.66 = 1.32) is above 0.5, indicating an ionic bond rather than a covalent bond. Therefore, fluorine does not form a covalent bond with iodine.
D. Fluorine: When considering the option of fluorine bonding with itself, the electronegativity difference would be zero since both atoms have the same electronegativity value. When the electronegativity difference is zero, it suggests a pure covalent bond. Therefore, the correct answer is D. Fluorine forms a covalent bond with itself.
In summary, among the given options, fluorine forms a covalent bond with itself.