[Herst]

Are the bonds nonpolar covalent, ionic, or polar covalent?

SO2
S8
CO2
F2
LiF

->

SO2 would be polar covalent because it has 2 bonding pairs and 1 lone pair, making it bent
S8 would be nonpolar covalent because they each have equal bond energy so they would be pulling the same energy
CO2 would be nonpolar covalent because it creates a linear geometry so the two oxygen atoms pull on the carbon central atom the same
F2 would be nonpolar covalent because they are the same element with same pull on eachother
LiF would be ionic because lithium is a metal

this seems fairly easy, but my answers are apparently not correct..

can someone help me realize what i did wrong please?

[sjb]

I think in the main you've the right idea. But for CO₂ you're focussing on the whole molecule, rather than the bonds. If the oxygens pull (what) on the carbon, what implication does that have for the bond?

The situation is the same for SO₂ but fortuitously the existence of the lone pair has led you to the correct conclusion.

Depending on the level you're asking the question at, you could argue that there is not complete electron transfer from Li to F, so very polar covalent, but this is more a mathematical and philosophical question.

S

[Herst]

Im not sure if I understand what you mean with CO2,

if  O=C=O  is the structure, then wouldn't the two oxygen molecules be pulling with the same dipolar moment charge at the negative ends of the bond, canceling each other out?

[sjb]

Im not sure if I understand what you mean with CO₂,

if  O=C=O  is the structure, then wouldn't the two oxygen molecules be pulling with the same dipolar moment charge at the negative ends of the bond, canceling each other out?

This is not false. But what is the nature of the C=O bond?  Nonpolar covalent, ionic, or polar covalent?

[Herst]

ah ok now I see...

the C - O bond is polar

...and thats what I had that was incorrect

thank you