Question

which of the following formulas represent covalent compounds? check all that apply. $square$ $ce{h_{2}so_{4}}$ $square$ $ce{kf}$ $square$ $ce{c_{3}h_{8}}$ $square$ $ce{ch_{5}n}$ $square$ $ce{cuo}$ $square$ none of the above

Explanation:

To determine covalent compounds, we recall that covalent compounds are usually formed between nonmetals (or a nonmetal and a metalloid), while ionic compounds are formed between metals and nonmetals.

• $\ce{H_{2}SO_{4}}$: Sulfuric acid has covalent bonds (S - O, O - H) and some ionic character in solution, but the molecular structure has covalent bonding between nonmetals (S, O, H).
• $\ce{C_{3}H_{8}}$ (propane): Hydrocarbon, formed by nonmetals (C and H), covalent bonds.
• $\ce{CH_{5}N}$ (methylamine): Contains C, H, N (nonmetals), covalent bonds.
• $\ce{KF}$: Potassium (metal) and fluorine (nonmetal) → ionic.
• $\ce{CuO}$: Copper (metal) and oxygen (nonmetal) → ionic.

Answer:

$\ce{H_{2}SO_{4}}$, $\ce{C_{3}H_{8}}$, $\ce{CH_{5}N}$