Which bond type is generally weaker and often occurs between molecules rather than within molecules?

Which bond type is generally weaker and often occurs between molecules rather than within molecules?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Hydrogen bond
• D. Metallic bond

Answer: (C)

Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak attractions that typically form between separate molecules rather than inside a single molecule. They happen when a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen is attracted to a lone pair on another electronegative atom nearby. Because this is an intermolecular interaction, it is weaker than covalent bonds, which involve sharing electrons within a molecule, and weaker than ionic bonds, which arise from full charge transfer between ions. Metallic bonds, involving a lattice of ions in a sea of electrons, are also generally stronger. This weaker, intermolecular nature is what makes hydrogen bonding the best description for bonds that are generally weaker and often occur between molecules.

Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak attractions that typically form between separate molecules rather than inside a single molecule. They happen when a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen is attracted to a lone pair on another electronegative atom nearby. Because this is an intermolecular interaction, it is weaker than covalent bonds, which involve sharing electrons within a molecule, and weaker than ionic bonds, which arise from full charge transfer between ions. Metallic bonds, involving a lattice of ions in a sea of electrons, are also generally stronger. This weaker, intermolecular nature is what makes hydrogen bonding the best description for bonds that are generally weaker and often occur between molecules.