A Level Chemistry OCR Practice Exam

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Prepare for the A Level Chemistry OCR Exam with quizzes. Study with flashcards, multiple choice questions, hints, and explanations. Enhance your understanding and boost your confidence for success!

Each practice test/flash card set has 50 randomly selected questions from a bank of over 500. You'll get a new set of questions each time!

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What does electronegativity measure in a covalent bond?

The attraction of a bonded atom for the pair of electrons
The distance between atoms in a molecule
The energy required to break a bond
The total number of electrons in an atom

The correct answer is: The attraction of a bonded atom for the pair of electrons

Electronegativity measures the ability of an atom to attract the shared pair of electrons in a covalent bond. In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons, but the shared electrons may not be distributed equally, especially when the atoms involved have different electronegativities. The atom with higher electronegativity has a stronger pull on the shared electrons, leading to partial charges and influencing molecular polarity. This concept is fundamental in understanding chemical bonding and molecular interactions, as it helps predict the behavior of molecules in different chemical environments. The other choices do not accurately reflect the concept of electronegativity; for example, the distance between atoms pertains to bond length, the energy needed to break a bond relates to bond strength, and the total number of electrons in an atom refers to its electronic configuration, not its ability to attract electrons in a bond.