Practicing Success

Target Exam

CUET

Subject

Chemistry

Chapter

Chemical Bonding and Molecular Structure

Question:

The nature of bonding in \(CCl_4\) and \(CaH_2\) is

Options:

electrovalent in both \(CCl_4\) and \(CaH_2\)

covalent in \(CCl_4\) and electrovalent in \(CaH_2\)

electrovalent in \(CCl_4\) and covalent in \(CaH_2\)

covalent in both \(CCl_4\) and \(CaH_2\)

Correct Answer:

covalent in \(CCl_4\) and electrovalent in \(CaH_2\)

Explanation:

The correct answer is option 2. covalent in \(CCl_4\) and electrovalent in \(CaH_2\).

Let us delve into the nature of bonding in \( CCl_4 \) (carbon tetrachloride) and \( CaH_2 \) (calcium hydride) in detail.

Carbon Tetrachloride (\( CCl_4 \))

Structure and Bonding:

\( CCl_4 \) consists of a central carbon atom bonded to four chlorine atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. Carbon (C) and chlorine (Cl) have the following electronegativities:

Carbon (C): Electronegativity around 2.55

Chlorine (Cl): Electronegativity around 3.16

The electronegativity difference between carbon and chlorine is moderate, indicating a significant covalent character in their bonds.

Bonding Nature:

In \( CCl_4 \), each chlorine atom shares one electron with carbon to form four single covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. Carbon and chlorine have similar tendencies to attract electrons, resulting in a sharing rather than a transfer of electrons. Therefore, \( CCl_4 \) exhibits covalent bonding due to the sharing of electrons between carbon and chlorine atoms

Calcium Hydride (\( CaH_2 \))

Structure and Bonding:

\( CaH_2 \) consists of calcium (Ca) ions and hydride ions (H⁻).  Calcium has an electronegativity around 1.00, which is much lower than that of hydrogen (around 2.20). The large electronegativity difference between calcium and hydrogen results in the formation of ionic bonds.

Bonding Nature:

In \( CaH_2 \), calcium, being a metal, tends to lose two electrons to achieve a stable \( Ca^{2+} \) cation. Hydrogen, being a non-metal, gains one electron to form a \( H^- \) anion. The transfer of electrons from calcium to hydrogen results in the formation of ionic bonds between \( Ca^{2+} \) and \( H^- \) ions. Ionic bonds are characterized by the complete transfer of electrons from one atom (cation) to another (anion), resulting in electrostatic attraction between oppositely charged ions.

Conclusion:

\( CCl_4 \) (carbon tetrachloride) exhibits covalent bonding because carbon and chlorine share electrons due to their moderate electronegativity difference. \( CaH_2 \) (calcium hydride) exhibits ionic bonding because calcium and hydrogen have a significant electronegativity difference, leading to the transfer of electrons from calcium to hydrogen to form \( Ca^{2+} \) and \( H^- \) ions.

Covalent Bonding: Involves the sharing of electrons between atoms with similar electronegativities. \( CCl_4 \) illustrates this with carbon and chlorine sharing electrons.

Ionic Bonding: Involves the transfer of electrons from a metal to a non-metal due to a large electronegativity difference. \( CaH_2 \) exemplifies this with calcium transferring electrons to hydrogen.

Therefore, the correct answer choice, which describes the bonding nature of \( CCl_4 \) and \( CaH_2 \) accurately, is (2) covalent in \( CCl_4 \) and electrovalent (ionic) in \( CaH_2 \)

This choice aligns with the principles of covalent and ionic bonding based on the electronegativity differences and bonding behaviors of the elements involved in each compound.