Question

Why do atoms of two non-metals generally form a compound by sharing valence electrons, rather than by transferring electrons, as in the formation of ionic compounds?

Answer 1

Non-metals form compounds by sharing electrons in covalent bonds due to similar and high electronegativities, leading to substances with lower melting and boiling points, often being poor conductors of electricity.

Step-by-step explanation:

Atoms of two non-metals generally form a compound by sharing valence electrons through covalent bonding rather than transferring electrons, as seen in ionic bonding. This is because non-metals have higher electronegativities and similar values, so they tend to share electrons to achieve stable electron configurations, such as an octet or duet. In contrast, metals and non-metals have large differences in electronegativity, leading to the transfer of electrons and the formation of ionic compounds.

Compounds involving covalent bonds exhibit lower melting and boiling points than ionic compounds due to weaker attractions between neutral molecules. For example, hydrogen (H₂) forms a covalent bond where two atoms share electrons, resulting in a molecule with a lowered potential energy. These substances are often gases, liquids, or volatile solids at room temperature, and, unlike ionic compounds, are usually poor conductors of electricity.