HAZMAT Technician Practice Exam

What kind of compounds are typically involved in chemical reactions characterized by sharing of electrons?

1. Inorganic compounds

2. Salts

3. Covalent compounds

4. Metallic compounds

The correct answer is: Covalent compounds

In chemical reactions characterized by the sharing of electrons, covalent compounds are the primary focus. Covalent bonding occurs when two atoms share pairs of electrons, which allows them to achieve full outer electron shells, a state that contributes to stability. This sharing can happen between similar elements or different nonmetals, leading to the formation of various substances, such as organic molecules or water. Covalent compounds generally exhibit unique properties, including lower melting and boiling points compared to ionic compounds, poor conductivity in solid form, and the ability to exist as gases, liquids, or solids at room temperature depending on the size and polarity of the molecules involved. This characteristic of sharing electrons is fundamental in many biological and chemical processes, influencing interactions and reactions crucial to life and chemical manufacturing. The other options represent different classes of compounds that do not primarily involve electron sharing. For instance, inorganic compounds encompass various substances that can include ionic compounds, which typically involve electron transfer rather than sharing. Salts are typically formed from ionic bonds, where one atom donates an electron to another. Metallic compounds feature a different bonding mechanism, characterized by a "sea of electrons" that are not localized as they are in covalent compounds.