Question

When two fluorine atoms bond together in F2, what type of covalent bond do they form?

Answer 1

Answer: The correct statement is a single bond, because they overlap orbitals to share one pair of electrons.

Explanation:

A covalent bond is defined as the bond which is formed when sharing of electrons between the elements forming the bond takes place. This bond is formed between two non-metals.

Fluorine is the 9th element of the periodic table having 9 electrons. The electronic configuration of this element is: $1s^22s^22p^5$

It requires 1 electron to attain stability. Thus, the molecule of fluorine will share 1 pair of electron to bond together because each fluorine atom requires only 1 electron.

Hence, the correct statement is a single bond, because they overlap orbitals to share one pair of electrons.

Answer 2

The correct statement is " A single bond, because they overlap orbitals to share one pair of electrons." A fluorine atom is unstable with 7 electrons in its valence shell and so needs one more electron  to achieve stability. This is according to the octet rule which states that an atom will gain or lose electrons until there are 8 electrons in its valence shell. So each fluorine donates an electron to form a single pair and the $F_2$ achieves a noble gas configuration.