Question

select the correct answer from each drop - down menu. what causes atoms to form covalent bonds? in a covalent bond, two atoms are held together by the attraction between bonds that an atom can form depends on the number of each atom and the shared electrons the nuclei of the two atoms the valence electrons of the two atoms reset

Explanation:

To determine what holds atoms together in a covalent bond, we recall the definition of a covalent bond: atoms share electrons, and each atom is attracted to the shared electrons.

• "the nuclei of the two atoms": Nuclei are positively charged, and their repulsion would not hold atoms together in a covalent bond.
• "the valence electrons of the two atoms": Valence electrons are involved, but the attraction in a covalent bond is specifically between each atom and the shared electrons, not just the valence electrons in general.
• "each atom and the shared electrons": In a covalent bond, atoms share electron pairs, and each atom’s nucleus is attracted to the shared electrons, which holds the atoms together.

For the first part (what causes atoms to form covalent bonds), atoms form covalent bonds to achieve a stable electron configuration (like a noble gas) by sharing electrons, but the question here is about what holds them in the bond. But focusing on the drop - down for the bond holding: the correct option is "each atom and the shared electrons".

Answer:

each atom and the shared electrons