Multiple choice

The electronic configuration of four elements is given below. Which has the tendency to form covalent as well as ionic bonds?

  1. 1s2

  2. 1s2, 2s2 2p2

  3. 1s2, 2s2 2p5

  4. 1s2, 2s2 22
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Configuration 1s2 2s2 2p5 represents fluorine (7 valence electrons), one electron short of octet. It can either share an electron (covalent, as in F2) or gain one (ionic, forming F-). Option A is helium (noble gas), B is carbon (forms only covalent bonds), and D has a typo in notation.

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