Question

Which of these elements is unlikely to form covalent bonds: Se, H, Li, Ar, Si?

A) Se (Selenium)
B) H (Hydrogen)
C) Li (Lithium)
D) Ar (Argon)
E) Si (Silicon)

Answer 1

Argon, being a noble gas with a complete octet, is unlikely to form covalent bonds, unlike Selenium, Silicon, Hydrogen, and Lithium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The element unlikely to form covalent bonds among Se, H, Li, Ar, Si is Ar (Argon). Argon is a noble gas with a complete octet, which makes it chemically inert and unlikely to share electrons through covalent bonding. In contrast, Se (Selenium) and Si (Silicon) are capable of forming covalent bonds due to their need to fulfill the octet rule. H (Hydrogen) can form one covalent bond to fill its valence shell. Li (Lithium), while usually forming ionic bonds due to its status as an alkali metal, can in rare cases form covalent bonds as well.