QQuestionChemistry
QuestionChemistry
Carbon tetrahydride, commonly known as methane (CH4), forms a covalent bond. This can be determined by the fact that carbon (C) and hydrogen (H) are both nonmetals, and in covalent bonds, nonmetals share electrons to form molecules. In an ionic bond, one atom typically donates electrons to another atom, resulting in the formation of oppositely charged ions.
A. Covalent
B. Ionic
C. Metallic
D. None of the above
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:
Step 2:: Identify the Composition of the Molecule
The molecule is carbon tetrahydride (CH4), which consists of: - Carbon (C): a nonmetal - Hydrogen (H): a nonmetal
Step 3:: Analyze the Bonding Characteristics
- Covalent bonds form between nonmetals - In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons - Carbon and hydrogen are both nonmetals
Step 4:: Examine the Bonding Mechanism
- Carbon has 4 valence electrons - Hydrogen has 1 valence electron - They share electrons to complete their outer electron shells - This creates a stable molecular structure through electron sharing
Step 5:: Eliminate Other Bond Types
- Ionic bonds occur between a metal and a nonmetal - Metallic bonds occur between metal atoms - This molecule does not meet those criteria
Step 6:: Determine the Correct Bond Type
- The molecule is formed by nonmetals sharing electrons - This is the definition of a covalent bond
Final Answer
Covalent The key reasoning is that carbon and hydrogen are both nonmetals, and they form a molecule by sharing electrons, which is the fundamental characteristic of a covalent bond.
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