Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

What type of bond involves sharing electron pairs?

1. Ionic bond

2. Covalent bond

3. Hydrogen bond

4. Metallic bond

The correct answer is: Covalent bond

A covalent bond is characterized by the sharing of electron pairs between atoms. This sharing allows each atom to attain a full outer shell of electrons, achieving greater stability. In this type of bond, atoms can be the same or different, and the strength of the bond depends on the number of shared pairs, with single, double, and triple bonds corresponding to one, two, and three pairs of shared electrons, respectively. In contrast, ionic bonds involve the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of charged ions that attract each other due to their opposite charges. Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak interactions that occur between a hydrogen atom bonded to a highly electronegative atom and another electronegative atom, whereas metallic bonds involve a 'sea of electrons' that are free to move around, contributing to the conductivity and malleability of metals. These differences highlight why covalent bonds are uniquely distinguished by the sharing of electrons.