Question

Explain in detail the nature of the formation of a covalent compound using an example.

Answer 1

Answer:

Take for example I₂ (iodine)

Explanation:

It has only a pair of electrons between the iodine atoms in order to gain a stable arrangement of 8 electrons in its outer shell. It is sharing them, so it's a covalent bond as a single iodine atom cannot be stable on its own. It's a halogen and is a single covalently-bonded diatomic molecule.

Similarly, take oxygen. IT needs two pairs of electrons just so it can reach a stable outer shell of 8 electrons. If it doesn't then it cannot be stabilised so it must be bonded with another oxygen atom and share two electrons.