Chemical Bonds in Compounds Quiz

Self-Test for Bonds, Electron Transfer, and Compounds

Take this quiz to test how well you understand chemical bonds and how ions and compounds form based on valence.
Take this quiz to test how well you understand chemical bonds and how ions and compounds form based on valence. DAVID MACK / Getty Images
1. The electrons in a nonpolar covalent bond are:
2. What is the charge on the ions formed by the alkaline earth metals?
3. What is the most correct name for the ionic compound formed by Fe²⁺ and Cl⁻?
4. What type of bonds are formed in N₂O₄ and what is the name of this compound?
5. The bond between sulfur (electronegativity value 2.5) and chlorine (electronegativity value 3.0) would be:
6. What is the formula for the ion which has 17 protons and 18 electrons?
7. Ionic compounds may contain polyatomic ions. For example, the formula of magnesium nitrate is:
8. What is the formula of phosphorus trichloride?
9. How many electrons are gained/lost by magnesium and what is the charge on the ion that it forms?
10. The electron-dot structure of carbon has how many dots?
Chemical Bonds in Compounds Quiz
You got: % Correct. Kind of Clueless About Chemical Bonds
I got Kind of Clueless About Chemical Bonds. Chemical Bonds in Compounds Quiz
Andrew Brookes / Getty Images

You're on track to learn more about chemical bonds and how they work. Your biggest friend when it comes to understanding chemical bonding is the periodic table because it's organized to group elements with similar charges together (for example, all of the alkali metals carry a +1 charge). Electronegativity is a periodic table trend. Atoms with the same electronegativity form nonpolar covalent bonds. Atoms with similar but not identical electronegativity (two different nonmetals) form polar covalent bonds. When the electronegativity difference is large (think metals with nonmetals), you get ionic bonds.

When you balance chemical formulas, remember the electrical charges cancel out. So, if you have two positive charges, you form a neutral compound if it bonds with two negative charges.

From here, you might want to review the types of chemical bonds and how chemical formulas work. If you're ready for another quiz, see if you understand the basics about atoms and their parts.

Chemical Bonds in Compounds Quiz
You got: % Correct. Competent With Chemical Bonding
I got Competent With Chemical Bonding. Chemical Bonds in Compounds Quiz
ROGER HARRIS/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY / Getty Images

Bravo! You understand how chemical bonds form and how electrons are transferred or shared to form ions and compounds. If you're ever in doubt about the type of bonds formed between atoms, look at their position on the periodic table. Atoms with the same electronegativity (like two oxygen atoms) form nonpolar covalent bonds. Atoms with close electronegativity values (like two nonidentical nonmetals) form polar covalent bonds. If the electronegativity difference is large (between a metal and a nonmetal) then ionic bonds form.

From here, you can test yourself to see if you know the trends in the periodic table or you might wish to review the types of chemical bonds.

If you're ready for another quiz, find out which type of mad scientist you are or you can practice naming ionic compounds.