How will Hydrogen (nonmetal) and Chlorine (nonmetal) form a compound and achieve stability?
Hydrogen and chlorine can form a compound called hydrogen chloride (HCl) through a chemical reaction. In this reaction, hydrogen and chlorine atoms share electrons to achieve stability.
Hydrogen has one valence electron and chlorine has 7 valence electrons. Hydrogen needs one more electron to achieve a stable electron configuration, while chlorine needs one more electron to achieve a stable octet configuration.
During the reaction, one chlorine atom will share its single electron with the hydrogen atom. This sharing of electrons forms a covalent bond, as both atoms now have achieved a more stable electron configuration. The hydrogen atom now has two electrons, similar to helium, and the chlorine atom now has 8 electrons, achieving a stable octet configuration.
The resulting compound, hydrogen chloride (HCl), is a stable molecule due to the sharing of electrons between hydrogen and chlorine.
a
Hydrogen and chlorine will share valence electrons to form a covalent compound.
b
Hydrogen will donate an electron to chlorine to form an ionic compound.
c
Hydrogen and chlorine will share valence electrons to form an ionic compound.
d
Hydrogen will donate an electron to chlorine to form a covalent compound.
d
Hydrogen will donate an electron to chlorine to form a covalent compound.