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KCSE Chemistry — practice by topic

Browse 35 questions across 1 Chemistry topics. Choose what you want to revise, then open a question to check its answer and worked solution.

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Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry (35)

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How does a neutral atom become a cation?Read the answer and worked solution →What holds the ions of an ionic compound together?Read the answer and worked solution →Which pair of properties do ionic solids typically show?Read the answer and worked solution →Solid sodium chloride does not conduct electricity, but the molten salt does. Why?Read the answer and worked solution →

Worked practice questions

How does a neutral atom become a cation?

  1. By losing electrons from its valence shell
  2. By gaining electrons in its valence shell
  3. By losing protons from its atomic nucleus
  4. By gaining neutrons in its atomic nucleus
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Correct answer: A. By losing electrons from its valence shell

1. A cation carries a positive charge, so the atom must end up with fewer electrons than protons. 2. That happens when the neutral atom loses one or more electrons from its valence shell. 3. An anion is the opposite case: a neutral atom gains electrons into its valence shell. 4. Protons and neutrons sit in the nucleus and do not move during ordinary chemical change. _Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section 7.1 Ionic Bonding_

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What holds the ions of an ionic compound together?

  1. Equal sharing of one pair of electrons
  2. Electrostatic attraction between opposite ions
  3. Overlap of two half filled valence orbitals
  4. Attraction between neutral gas molecules
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Correct answer: B. Electrostatic attraction between opposite ions

1. An ionic compound is built from cations and anions, which carry opposite charges. 2. Opposite charges attract, and it is that electrostatic force which constitutes the ionic bond. 3. Sharing a pair of electrons describes a covalent bond, not an ionic one. 4. Orbital overlap and attraction between neutral molecules belong to covalent and intermolecular bonding. _Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section 7.1 Ionic Bonding_

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Which pair of properties do ionic solids typically show?

  1. Soft and waxy, with no ordered structure
  2. Ductile and shiny, with a metallic lustre
  3. Rigid and brittle, with a crystal structure
  4. Elastic and rubbery, with coiled chains
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Correct answer: C. Rigid and brittle, with a crystal structure

1. Ions in an ionic solid sit in a regular repeating arrangement, which is what makes the solid crystalline. 2. Because every ion is locked by strong attractions to its neighbours, the solid is rigid rather than soft. 3. It is also brittle, since forcing the layers to slide brings like charges together and the crystal splits. 4. Softness, metallic lustre and rubbery elasticity describe molecular, metallic and polymeric solids instead. _Source: OpenStax Chemistry (CC BY 4.0), Ch 7 "Chemical Bonding and Molecular Geometry", section 7.1 Ionic Bonding_

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