Which of the following elements is a halogen?

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: The correct answer is 'Fluorine' (Choice B) as it is a halogen. Halogens are a group of elements that include fluorine, chlorine, bromine, iodine, and astatine. They are highly reactive nonmetals located in Group 17 of the periodic table. Oxygen (Choice A) is a nonmetal but not a halogen. Sodium (Choice C) is a metal, and Carbon (Choice D) is a nonmetal, neither of which belong to the halogen group.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: A covalent bond is formed when two atoms share electrons, creating a stable electron configuration. This sharing allows both atoms to achieve a full outer shell of electrons, leading to a stable molecule. In contrast, an ionic bond involves the transfer of electrons from one atom to another, resulting in the formation of ions with opposite charges. Metallic bonds are formed between metal atoms and involve a 'sea of electrons' that are delocalized and free to move. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular force, not a true chemical bond, and occur between a hydrogen atom and a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: Fluorine has the highest electronegativity among the elements listed. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond. Fluorine, being the most electronegative element on the periodic table, has the strongest ability to attract electrons towards itself compared to chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen. Therefore, fluorine is the correct answer. Chlorine, nitrogen, and oxygen have lower electronegativities compared to fluorine, making them incorrect choices for the element with the highest electronegativity.

Correct Answer: B

Rationale: Ionic bonds are found in sodium chloride. In an ionic bond, one atom donates an electron to another atom, resulting in the formation of positively and negatively charged ions that are held together by electrostatic forces of attraction. Sodium chloride is a classic example of an ionic compound, where sodium (Na) donates an electron to chlorine (Cl), forming Na+ and Cl- ions that are attracted to each other, creating a crystal lattice structure. Covalent bonds involve the sharing of electron pairs between atoms, which is not the case in sodium chloride. Metallic bonds occur in metals where electrons are delocalized and shared across a lattice, unlike the specific transfer seen in ionic bonds. Hydrogen bonds are a type of intermolecular force, not the primary bond type present in sodium chloride.

Correct Answer: A

Rationale: The mass number of an atom is the sum of protons and neutrons. In this case, the atom has 6 protons and 6 neutrons, thus the mass number is 6 + 6 = 12. Therefore, choice A (12) is the correct answer. Choices B (18), C (6), and D (8) are incorrect because the mass number is determined by the sum of protons and neutrons, not the number of electrons or a different combination of particles.