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 drop - down. the number of co bonds that an atom can form depends on the number of drop - down. options for the first drop - down: each atom and the shared electrons, the nuclei of the two atoms, the valence electrons of the two atoms. there is a reset button.

Explanation:

For the first drop - down (what holds two atoms in a covalent bond together): In a covalent bond, atoms share electrons. The attractive force is between each atom and the shared electrons. The nuclei of two atoms repel each other (so "the nuclei of the two atoms" is wrong), and while valence electrons are involved, the direct attraction in a covalent bond is between each atom and the shared electrons.

For the second drop - down (what determines the number of covalent bonds an atom can form): The number of covalent bonds an atom can form depends on the number of valence electrons (specifically the number of unpaired valence electrons or the number of electrons it needs to achieve a stable octet/duet). The "each atom and the shared electrons" is about the bond holding, not bond number determination, and "the nuclei of the two atoms" is not related to bond number.

Answer:

First drop - down: each atom and the shared electrons
Second drop - down: the valence electrons of the two atoms