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Multiple Choice
Which type of bond is generally stronger: covalent or hydrogen?
A
Covalent bond
B
Hydrogen bond
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the nature of covalent bonds: Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, leading to a strong bond due to the stable electron configuration achieved by the atoms.
Understand the nature of hydrogen bonds: Hydrogen bonds are a type of dipole-dipole interaction that occurs when a hydrogen atom covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom, such as oxygen or nitrogen, experiences an attraction to another electronegative atom.
Compare the bond strengths: Covalent bonds are generally stronger than hydrogen bonds because they involve the sharing of electrons, which creates a more stable and stronger connection between atoms compared to the weaker electrostatic attraction in hydrogen bonds.
Consider the energy required to break the bonds: Covalent bonds require significantly more energy to break compared to hydrogen bonds, which further indicates their relative strength.
Conclude based on the comparison: Given the stronger electron sharing and higher energy requirement to break covalent bonds, they are generally stronger than hydrogen bonds.