Question

Using electronegativity, predict and explain your thinking for the arrangement of a bond in CH4 (methane).

Options:
A) The carbon and hydrogen atoms form polar covalent bonds due to the difference in electronegativity.
B) The carbon and hydrogen atoms form nonpolar covalent bonds because their electronegativities are nearly identical.
C) The carbon and hydrogen atoms form ionic bonds because of the significant difference in electronegativity.
D) The bond in CH4 is purely metallic in nature due to the arrangement of the atoms.
E) The carbon and hydrogen atoms form hydrogen bonds instead of covalent bonds.

Answer 1

The carbon and hydrogen atoms in CH4 (methane) form nonpolar covalent bonds because their electronegativities are nearly identical. Nonpolar covalent bonds form between two atoms of the same element or between different elements that share electrons equally.

Step-by-step explanation:

The carbon and hydrogen atoms in CH4 (methane) form nonpolar covalent bonds because their electronegativities are nearly identical. Carbon has an electronegativity of 2.5, while hydrogen has an electronegativity of 2.1. The difference between their electronegativities is only 0.4, which is relatively small. Nonpolar covalent bonds form between two atoms of the same element or between different elements that share electrons equally. In the case of methane, carbon and hydrogen have similar electronegativity values, resulting in the formation of a nonpolar covalent molecule.