Unit 2: Structure 2: Models of Bonding and Structure

Topic 2.2: The Covalent Model Questions

Practice 20 exam-style questions for IB Chemistry Topic 2.2. Review the question stems below, then unlock the full Question Bank to access markschemes, model answers, and AI grading.

1State1 mark
2026
State the shape of the molecule and its bond angle.
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2Draw1 mark
2026
Draw the Lewis structure of a carbon dioxide molecule.
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3Draw1 mark
2026
Draw a diagram showing hydrogen bonding between two water molecules.
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4Identify1 mark
State the number of sigma and pi bonds in one molecule of propyne, CH3-C(triple bond)CH.
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5State1 mark
2026
State what is meant by a coordinate (dative) covalent bond.
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6State1 mark
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State the formula used to calculate formal charge.
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7Calculate1 mark
Calculate the formal charge on the nitrogen atom in the nitrate ion, NO3-, drawn with one double and two single N-O bonds.
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8explain3 marks
Explain why the boiling point of water is much higher than that of hydrogen sulfide, even though both are group 16 hydrides with similar molar masses.
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9explain3 marks
Explain why the boiling points of the halogens increase from fluorine to iodine.
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10explain3 marks
Explain why ethanol is soluble in water but hexane is not.
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11predict3 marks
Using VSEPR theory, predict and explain the shape and bond angle of BF₃.
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12predict3 marks
Predict and explain the shape and bond angle of the ammonium ion, NH₄⁺.
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13predict3 marks
Predict the shape and bond angle of SO₂ and explain why it differs from CO₂.
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14state3 marks
State the basis of VSEPR theory and explain why lone pairs are treated differently from bonding pairs.
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15define3 marks
Define electronegativity and state the trend in electronegativity across a period and down a group.
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16explain3 marks
Explain what makes a covalent bond polar, and state which of H-Cl, Cl-Cl and O-H is the most polar.
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17explain3 marks
Explain how the difference in electronegativity between two atoms determines whether their bond is described as non-polar covalent, polar covalent or ionic.
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18explain3 marks
State whether CCl₄ contains polar bonds and whether the molecule is polar, explaining your answer.
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19explain3 marks
Explain why diamond has a very high melting point and does not conduct electricity.
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20Explain1 mark
2026
Explain why the nitrate ion is described as having resonance structures.
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