Ionic Bonding for GCSE Chemistry – Quiz Your Knowledge

Science Quiz - Chemistry - Covalent Bonding (AQA) (Questions)

Explore covalent bonding, where atoms share pairs of electrons. Learn how simple molecules form, why they have low melting points, and what intermolecular forces really mean.

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Fascinating Fact:

Intermolecular forces increase with molecule size, bigger molecules often have higher boiling points.

In GCSE Science (Chemistry), you learn that covalent bonding happens when non-metal atoms share electrons. Simple molecules have covalent bonds inside, but their boiling points depend on the strength of the intermolecular forces between molecules.

Key Terms

Covalent bond: A bond formed when atoms share pairs of electrons.
Intermolecular forces: Weak attractions between separate molecules, not the bonds inside the molecules.
Simple molecular substance: A substance made of small molecules held together by weak intermolecular forces.

Frequently Asked Questions (Click to see answers)

What is a covalent bond in GCSE Chemistry?

A covalent bond is a shared pair of electrons between two non-metal atoms. Both atoms gain a stable outer shell by sharing electrons.

Why do simple molecular substances have low melting points?

Simple molecular substances have low melting points because only weak intermolecular forces between molecules are broken when they melt, not the strong covalent bonds inside each molecule.

How do intermolecular forces affect boiling points?

Stronger intermolecular forces mean more energy is needed to separate molecules, so the substance has a higher boiling point. Larger molecules usually have stronger intermolecular forces.

Try These Related Quizzes

Which of the following is not true about the compound carbon disulfide?

[ ]	It is made from molecules
[ ]	It is ionically bonded
[ ]	It is covalently bonded
[ ]	There are twice as many sulfur atoms as carbon atoms

What is a single covalent bond?

[ ]	One pair of shared electrons
[ ]	Two pairs of shared electrons
[ ]	One electron shared between two atoms
[ ]	Four electrons shared between two atoms

Which of the following would have covalent bonding?

[ ]	A compound made from metals
[ ]	A compound made from non-metals
[ ]	An element made from metals
[ ]	None of the above

Which of the following could have covalent bonding?

[ ]	An alloy
[ ]	Atoms of a metal
[ ]	Atoms of a non-metal
[ ]	Molecules of a non-metal

How is a single covalent bond conveniently represented?

[ ]	Two dots side by side
[ ]	A short horizontal line between the symbols of the elements involved
[ ]	A dot followed by a dash followed by a dot
[ ]	A semi colon

Which of the following represents a molecule of carbon dioxide?

[ ]	O=O=C
[ ]	C=O=O
[ ]	O=C=O
[ ]	C=O=C

Why is the bonding in chlorine gas covalent?

[ ]	Chlorine gas is made from molecules
[ ]	Chlorine is an element
[ ]	Chlorine is a halogen
[ ]	Chlorine is a non-metal

Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer energy level (shell). Six of these are arranged in pairs with one on its own. How many covalent bonds can it form?

[ ]	One
[ ]	Two
[ ]	Three
[ ]	Seven

Is salt covalently bonded?

[ ]	Yes, because it is made from crystals
[ ]	Yes, because it dissolves in water
[ ]	No, because it is made from a metal joined to a non-metal
[ ]	No, because it can be obtained from the ground

10.

Which of the following word equations correctly represents a reaction in which covalent bonding occurs?

[ ]	Hydrogen + oxygen → water
[ ]	Carbon + dioxide → carbon dioxide
[ ]	Sulfuric acid + zinc → hydrogen + zinc sulfate
[ ]	Chlorine + chlorine → dichlorine

Science Quiz - Chemistry - Covalent Bonding (AQA) (Answers)

Which of the following is not true about the compound carbon disulfide?

[ ]	It is made from molecules
[x]	It is ionically bonded
[ ]	It is covalently bonded
[ ]	There are twice as many sulfur atoms as carbon atoms

You may never have heard of this compound but that doesn't matter. The name tells you enough to answer the question

What is a single covalent bond?

[x]	One pair of shared electrons
[ ]	Two pairs of shared electrons
[ ]	One electron shared between two atoms
[ ]	Four electrons shared between two atoms

The second option describes a double covalent bond

Which of the following would have covalent bonding?

[ ]	A compound made from metals
[x]	A compound made from non-metals
[ ]	An element made from metals
[ ]	None of the above

Compounds of non-metals are always covalently bonded

Which of the following could have covalent bonding?

[ ]	An alloy
[ ]	Atoms of a metal
[ ]	Atoms of a non-metal
[x]	Molecules of a non-metal

Only molecules have covalent bonding which immediately rules out the other answers

How is a single covalent bond conveniently represented?

[ ]	Two dots side by side
[x]	A short horizontal line between the symbols of the elements involved
[ ]	A dot followed by a dash followed by a dot
[ ]	A semi colon

A double covalent bond looks like an equals sign and a triple covalent bond is like an equals sign with an extra line underneath (or above!) it

Which of the following represents a molecule of carbon dioxide?

[ ]	O=O=C
[ ]	C=O=O
[x]	O=C=O
[ ]	C=O=C

Carbon dioxide is a linear molecule - all 3 atoms are in a line, with carbon in the middle

Why is the bonding in chlorine gas covalent?

[ ]	Chlorine gas is made from molecules
[ ]	Chlorine is an element
[ ]	Chlorine is a halogen
[x]	Chlorine is a non-metal

All of the statements about chlorine are true. You may have chosen option 1 as you know molecules are always covalently bonded but that doesn't answer the question. The only option that answers 'why' is the fact that it is a non-metal

Chlorine has seven electrons in its outer energy level (shell). Six of these are arranged in pairs with one on its own. How many covalent bonds can it form?

[x]	One
[ ]	Two
[ ]	Three
[ ]	Seven

Only electrons that are not already part of a pair can be shared