KnowledgeBoat Logo

Chemistry

Give reasons for formation of single covalent bond between two chlorine atoms and a double covalent bond between two oxygen atoms - during formation of a covalent chlorine molecule and formation of a covalent oxygen molecule, respectively.

Chemical Bonding

52 Likes

Answer

Atomic number of Cl is 17 and elect. config. is [2,8,7]. As both the Cl atoms require one electron to complete it's octet, hence, they both will share 1 electron and will attain a stable electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas — argon. Therefore, single covalent bond is formed during formation of a chlorine molecule.

Atomic number of O is 8 and elect. config. is [2,6]. As both the O atoms require two electrons to complete their octet, hence, they both will share 2 electrons and will attain a stable electronic configuration of the nearest noble gas — neon. Therefore, double covalent bond is formed during formation of a oxygen molecule.

Answered By

37 Likes


Related Questions