Is hydrogen a metal or a nonmetal? How many valence electrons does a hydrogen atom have? Will carbon and hydrogen atoms most likely form an ionic bond or a covalent bond?
Answer (2)
Hydrogen is a nonmetal.
Hydrogen has 1 valence electron.
Carbon and hydrogen form a covalent bond.
The final answer is: nonmetal ; 1 ; covalent bond
Explanation
Problem Analysis Let's break down the questions one by one. First, we need to determine whether hydrogen is a metal or a nonmetal. Then, we'll find out how many valence electrons a hydrogen atom has. Finally, we'll determine if carbon and hydrogen atoms form an ionic or covalent bond.
Hydrogen as Metal or Nonmetal Hydrogen is a nonmetal. It is a gas at room temperature and does not exhibit metallic properties such as conductivity or luster.
Valence Electrons in Hydrogen A hydrogen atom has 1 valence electron. This single electron is in its outermost shell (the first electron shell), and it participates in chemical bonding.
Bond Formation Between Carbon and Hydrogen Carbon and hydrogen atoms will most likely form a covalent bond. This is because the electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen is small (approximately 0.35). Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons, which typically occurs when the electronegativity difference is small.
Examples
Understanding the properties of hydrogen, such as its nonmetallic nature and single valence electron, is crucial in various applications. For example, in organic chemistry, knowing that carbon and hydrogen form covalent bonds helps us understand the structure and properties of hydrocarbons, which are the foundation of many fuels and plastics. This knowledge also helps in designing new materials and understanding chemical reactions.
Hydrogen is a nonmetal with 1 valence electron, and it typically forms covalent bonds with carbon due to their similar electronegativities. This sharing of electrons is crucial for many organic compounds. Thus, carbon and hydrogen naturally bond covalently.
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