Question

Calculate the percent covalent character of a chemical bond between oxygen and beryllium.

Answer 1

Beryllium Oxide has a molecular formula Be-O

% covalent character in Be-O = 100 - % ionic character in Be-O

Now,

% ionic character = {1 - exp[(-0.25)(E(Be)-E(O))²]}*100

where,

E(Be) and E(O) are the electronegativity values of Be and O

Based on the Paulings scale:-

E(Be) = 1.57

E(O) = 3.44

% ionic = {1 - exp[(-0.25)(1.57-3.44)²]}*100 = 58.28%

Therefore, % covalent = 100 -58.28 = 41.72%

Ans: b) 41 percent