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Oxygen forms double bonds in O₂, but sulfur forms single bonds in S₈.
a. True
b. False

1 Answer

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Final answer:

Oxygen indeed forms double bonds in O2 which is true. While sulfur forms single bonds in the S8 molecule, it can also form double bonds with oxygen in compounds like SO2.

Step-by-step explanation:

The statement that Oxygen forms double bonds in O₂ is true. Oxygen atoms have six electrons in their valence shell, and they achieve stability by sharing two pairs of electrons, forming a double covalent bond represented by O=O. This double bond consists of one σ (sigma) bond and one π (pi) bond.

However, the statement about Sulfur is slightly misleading. Sulfur can form many allotropes, with the most stable form being the crown-shaped S₈ molecule, in which sulfur atoms are connected by single bonds.

Nonetheless, when sulfur is bonded with oxygen, like in sulfur dioxide (SO₂), it typically forms double bonds, evidenced by the structural formula of SO₂ where each oxygen is double-bonded to the sulfur.

So, while sulfur in S₈ forms single bonds, sulfur can also form double bonds when in combination with other elements like oxygen.

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