How could oxygen form the molecule O2 by covalent bonding if it only has six valence electrons?

Why Covalent Bonds Form Alone, each oxygen atom has six valence electrons. By sharing two pairs of valence electrons, each oxygen atom has a total of eight valence electrons. The shared electrons are attracted to both oxygen nuclei, and this force of attraction holds the two atoms together in the oxygen molecule.

Why would one atom of oxygen want to bond with another?

Polar and Nonpolar Covalent Bonds For example, an oxygen atom can bond with another oxygen atom to fill their outer shells. Two covalent bonds form between the two oxygen atoms because oxygen requires two shared electrons to fill its outermost shell.

Why does oxygen exist as a diatomic molecule rather than single atoms?

Oxygen exists as a diatomic molecule in nature when it is not combined with any other element. It forms O2 molecule because it is stable when it is uncombined. It has the lowest energy level when uncombined. By achieving octet configuration, the diatomic elements become more stable compared to the single atom.

What type of bond is present in oxygen molecule?

A covalent bond is the chemical bond present in an oxygen molecule.

How many bonds can an atom with 6 valence electrons form?

The key to this problem is that electrons in covalent bonds are shared and therefore “belong” to both of the bonded atoms. Sulfur is a nonmetal in group 6A , and therefore has 6 valence electrons. In order to obey the octet rule, it needs to gain 2 electrons . It can do this by forming 2 single covalent bonds.

Why can Sulfur Form 6?

Sulfur has one more electron pair in its 3s subshell so it can undergo excitation one more time and place the electron in another empty 3d orbital. Now sulfur has 6 unpaired electrons which means it can form 6 covalent bonds to give a total of 12 electrons around its valence shell.

How many valence electrons does an oxygen atom have?

six valence electrons
Valence electrons are the electrons in the outermost shell, or energy level, of an atom. For example, oxygen has six valence electrons, two in the 2s subshell and four in the 2p subshell. We can write the configuration of oxygen’s valence electrons as 2s²2p⁴.

Why valence electrons are involved in bonding?

The valence electrons are involved in bonding one atom to another. The attraction of each atom’s nucleus for the valence electrons of the other atom pulls the atoms together. As the attractions bring the atoms together, electrons from each atom are attracted to the nucleus of both atoms, which “share” the electrons.

Can oxygen be a diatomic molecule?

definition. Diatomic molecules contain two atoms that are chemically bonded. If the two atoms are identical, as in, for example, the oxygen molecule (O2), they compose a homonuclear diatomic molecule, while if the atoms are different, as in the carbon monoxide molecule (CO), they make up…

Can oxygen form 6 bonds?

Explanation: Oxygen can form two single bonds because it has six valent electrons on its outer shell. It is easier for an oxygen atom to accept or share two electrons instead of losing all six to become stable (Remember that stability involves having a filled outer shell.

What atoms can have 6 bonds?

So here’s what happened. Back in the 1973, German researchers proposed that it could be theoretically possible to create a carbon molecule with six bonds, using hexamethylbenzene. This flat hexagonal ring consists of six grey carbon atoms. These bond to six extra carbon ‘arms’ and the white hydrogen atoms.