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QuestionChemistry

Is the bonding in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) covalent or ionic?
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Step 1:
I'll solve this problem step by step, following the specified formatting guidelines:

Step 2:
: Understand the Bonding Characteristics

To determine the type of bonding in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), we need to examine the properties of the elements involved: - Carbon (C) is a nonmetal - Chlorine (Cl) is also a nonmetal

Step 3:
: Analyze Electronegativity Differences

- Carbon has an electronegativity of approximately 2.55 - Chlorine has an electronegativity of approximately 3.16 - The difference in electronegativity is small (about 0.61)

Step 4:
: Evaluate Bonding Type

When two nonmetals bond: - They typically form covalent bonds - Electrons are shared between atoms - The electronegativity difference is not large enough to create ionic bonding

Step 5:
: Confirm Covalent Bonding Characteristics

In CCl^4: - Carbon forms 4 single covalent bonds with chlorine atoms - Each chlorine atom shares electrons with the carbon atom - The bonds are polar covalent due to the electronegativity difference

Final Answer

The bonding in carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) is COVALENT.