Explain the nature of the covalent bond using the bond formation in CH₃Cl.
Covalent bonds are formed by the sharing of an electron pair between two atoms. In CH₃Cl, carbon is tetravalent with four valence electrons. To achieve noble gas configuration, carbon shares its electrons with three hydrogen atoms and one chlorine atom.
Each hydrogen atom shares one electron with carbon, forming three C-H covalent bonds. Chlorine shares one electron with carbon, forming a C-Cl covalent bond. This sharing allows all atoms to achieve stable electronic configurations.
Covalently bonded molecules have strong bonds within the molecule but weak intermolecular forces, resulting in low melting and boiling points. Carbon forms strong bonds due to its small size, enabling the nucleus to hold shared electron pairs strongly.
Explanation
The textbook explains that covalent bonds are formed by sharing electron pairs between atoms. Carbon has four valence electrons (tetravalent) and can bond with monovalent elements like hydrogen and chlorine. The context mentions that compounds of carbon are formed with chlorine and that carbon's small size enables strong bond formation. The nature of covalent compounds includes strong intramolecular bonds but weak intermolecular forces, leading to low melting and boiling points.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Define covalent bond as sharing of electron pairs between atoms.
Step 2: Explain carbon's tetravalency and its sharing with 3 H atoms and 1 Cl atom in CH₃Cl.
Step 3: Describe the nature of covalent bonds - strong within molecule, weak intermolecular forces, low melting/boiling points.