Questions on Covalent Bonds
Multiple-Choice Questions: Covalent Bonds
1. What is a covalent bond?
A) Transfer of electrons from one atom to another
B) Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
C) Attraction between ions
D) Movement of free electrons
E) Electrostatic attraction in metals
2. Which type of elements usually form covalent bonds?
A) Metals only
B) Nonmetals only
C) Metals and metalloids
D) Metals and nonmetals
E) Inert gases
3. Which of these is a simple covalent molecule?
A) NaCl
B) CaO
C) H₂O
D) Fe
E) MgF₂
4. A single covalent bond consists of:
A) Two shared pairs of electrons
B) Three shared pairs of electrons
C) One shared pair of electrons
D) No shared electrons
E) An electron transfer
5. A double covalent bond involves:
A) Two electrons
B) Two atoms
C) One pair of electrons
D) Two pairs of electrons
E) One atom only
6. Which molecule has a triple covalent bond?
A) CO₂
B) NH₃
C) N₂
D) H₂O
E) CH₄
7. Which of the following has only single covalent bonds?
A) O₂
B) CH₄
C) CO
D) N₂
E) C₂H₂
8. Which element can form four covalent bonds?
A) Hydrogen
B) Nitrogen
C) Carbon
D) Oxygen
E) Fluorine
9. The type of covalent bond in oxygen gas (O₂) is:
A) Single
B) Double
C) Triple
D) Ionic
E) Metallic
10. In a covalent bond, electrons are usually shared:
A) Between metal atoms
B) Equally between any atoms
C) Between atoms of similar electronegativity
D) Only by hydrogen
E) By ions only
11. Which of the following compounds contains both single and double covalent bonds?
A) O₂
B) CO₂
C) CH₄
D) NH₃
E) F₂
12. Which molecule contains a coordinate (dative) covalent bond?
A) CH₄
B) CO
C) H₂O
D) Cl₂
E) H₂
13. What is the bond angle in methane (CH₄)?
A) 90°
B) 120°
C) 109.5°
D) 180°
E) 60°
14. What is the shape of a water molecule?
A) Linear
B) Bent
C) Trigonal planar
D) Tetrahedral
E) Trigonal pyramidal
15. A molecule with only single covalent bonds is likely to be:
A) Linear
B) Highly reactive
C) Saturated
D) Unsaturated
E) Unstable
16. Which of these compounds is a network covalent solid?
A) H₂O
B) NaCl
C) Diamond
D) CO₂
E) NH₃
17. How many electrons are shared in a triple covalent bond?
A) 1
B) 2
C) 4
D) 6
E) 8
18. Which of the following does NOT contain covalent bonds?
A) HCl
B) CaCl₂
C) H₂O
D) O₂
E) CH₄
19. What is the main reason atoms form covalent bonds?
A) To become ions
B) To reach an excited state
C) To attain a noble gas configuration
D) To gain mass
E) To lose protons
20. A molecule of ethene (C₂H₄) contains:
A) Only single bonds
B) One double bond and single bonds
C) One triple bond
D) Two double bonds
E) Only triple bonds
21. Covalent bonds form between atoms with:
A) Very different electronegativities
B) Opposite charges
C) Similar electronegativities
D) Metal and nonmetal combinations
E) No electrons
22. Which bond is stronger?
A) Single covalent bond
B) Double covalent bond
C) Triple covalent bond
D) Ionic bond
E) Hydrogen bond
23. Which molecule has a nonpolar covalent bond?
A) HCl
B) NH₃
C) H₂
D) HF
E) CO
24. The term “bond length” refers to:
A) Time taken to form a bond
B) Number of bonds in a molecule
C) Distance between nuclei of bonded atoms
D) Number of electrons involved
E) Atomic radii difference
25. Which of the following best describes a polar covalent bond?
A) Unequal sharing of electrons
B) Equal sharing of electrons
C) Complete transfer of electrons
D) Sharing between metals
E) Attraction between ions
26. Which type of covalent bond allows for rotation around the bond axis?
A) Sigma bond (σ)
B) Pi bond (π)
C) Triple bond
D) Coordinate bond
E) Ionic bond
27. Which of the following has a bent molecular shape due to lone pairs?
A) CO₂
B) CH₄
C) H₂O
D) BF₃
E) CCl₄
28. In which molecule is a carbon-carbon triple bond present?
A) CH₄
B) C₂H₄
C) C₂H₂
D) CO₂
E) HCOOH
29. Which of these is an example of a simple molecule with covalent bonding?
A) Diamond
B) Graphite
C) HCl
D) SiO₂
E) NaF
30. Which covalent compound is gaseous at room temperature?
A) Diamond
B) CH₄
C) SiO₂
D) P₄O₁₀
E) NaCl
Answers with Explanations
1. B) Sharing of electron pairs between atoms
2. B) Nonmetals only
3. C) H₂O — small molecule with covalent bonds
4. C) One shared pair of electrons
5. D) Two pairs of electrons
6. C) N₂ — contains a triple bond
7. B) CH₄ — only single bonds
8. C) Carbon — forms four bonds (tetravalent)
9. B) Double
10. C) Between atoms of similar electronegativity
11. B) CO₂ — each C=O is a double bond
12. B) CO — carbon donates both electrons in one bond
13. C) 109.5° — tetrahedral shape
14. B) Bent — due to lone pairs on oxygen
15. C) Saturated — no multiple bonds
16. C) Diamond — extended covalent structure
17. D) 6 electrons (3 pairs)
18. B) CaCl₂ — ionic
19. C) To attain a noble gas configuration
20. B) One double bond and single bonds
21. C) Similar electronegativities
22. C) Triple covalent bond — more shared electrons
23. C) H₂ — identical atoms share equally
24. C) Distance between nuclei of bonded atoms
25. A) Unequal sharing of electrons
26. A) Sigma bond (σ)
27. C) H₂O — two lone pairs on oxygen
28. C) C₂H₂ — one triple bond between carbons
29. C) HCl — simple covalent molecule
30. B) CH₄ — small nonpolar molecule, gas at room temperature
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