Question

Question #e9166

Answer 1

Well, as you know (or should know), covalent bonding results from the SHARING of electrons..........

Explanation:

And ionic bonding results from the transfer of electrons to form discrete positive and negative ions.

Atomic fluorine or atomic chlorine each has 7 valence electrons (of course they do; they are halogens that come from Group VII of the Periodic Table). Ideally, they would have 8 valence electrons, and one way they can do this is by reduction............i.e.

`dotX+e^(-) rarrddotX^(-)`

And in fact fluorine is the most potent oxidant on the Periodic Table.

Alternatively, they could form covalent bonds, in which a PAIR of electrons is shared BETWEEN the 2 nuclei.........

`dotX + dotX rarr X-X`

And thus for the elemental halogens we commonly get a homonuclear diatomic molecule. Heteronuclear diatomic molecules are also possible, so-called interhalogens i.e.

`dotF + dotClrarrstackrel(+delta)Cl-stackrel(-delta)F`..........

Capisce?