Question

An element A from group 14 of the periodic table combines with an element B from group 16.

(i) What type of chemical bond is formed?
(ii) Give the formula of the compound formed.

Answer 1

(i) The resulting compound is a covalent compound since the elements of group 14 and group 16 are non-metals. Therefore, when a non-metal A from group 14 combines with a non-metal B from group 16, electrons are shared between their atoms and  a covalent bond is formed.

(ii) Element A belongs to group 14 and has 4 valence electrons, and element B belongs to group 16 and has 6 valence electrons. Therefore, when 1 atom of element A combines with 2 atoms of element B, sharing of electrons takes place and the resultant compound will have the formula AB_2.