Final answer:
Hydrogen and chlorine form a covalent bond by sharing one electron each to form the molecule HCl. This shared pair of electrons allows both atoms to reach a stable electron configuration, fulfilling the octet rule for chlorine and the duet rule for hydrogen.
Step-by-step explanation:
The example of bonding between hydrogen and chlorine is an illustration of a covalent bond, not an ionic bond. Hydrogen has one valence electron and needs one more to achieve a stable electron configuration similar to helium, while chlorine has seven valence electrons and needs one more to complete its octet. When these two atoms combine, they do so by sharing one electron each, forming a molecule of HCl (hydrogen chloride). This sharing of electrons fulfills the valence shell requirements of both hydrogen and chlorine, making the compound more stable.
Therefore, the correct answer to the question is that hydrogen and chlorine form a covalent bond by sharing electrons; specifically, they form a single covalent bond as seen in the HCl molecule. This sharing of electrons allows both atoms to attain a more stable electron arrangement, fulfilling the octet rule for chlorine and the duet rule for hydrogen.
It's important to correct the misconception in option 'c' where it says an ionic bond involves the sharing of electrons, and option 'd' where it describes a covalent bond involving the van der Waals force; both statements are incorrect. In fact, an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons, and a covalent bond involves the sharing of electrons, which is the correct interaction between hydrogen and chlorine.