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5 (a) Germanium chloride exists as simple molecules, GeCl₄ - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Question 5
5 (a) Germanium chloride exists as simple molecules, GeCl₄. In a molecule of germanium chloride the germanium atom is joined to a chlorine atom by a covalent bond. ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:5 (a) Germanium chloride exists as simple molecules, GeCl₄ - Edexcel - GCSE Chemistry - Question 5 - 2018 - Paper 1
Step 1
Explain how an atom of germanium and an atom of chlorine form a covalent bond.
Answer
Germanium and chlorine both require electrons to achieve a stable electronic configuration.
In forming a covalent bond, germanium shares one of its 4 outer shell electrons with one of chlorine's 7 outer shell electrons. This sharing creates a pair of electrons that constitutes the covalent bond, allowing both atoms to feel more stable as they reach a full outer shell.
Thus, the shared electrons facilitate a strong attraction, thereby linking the two atoms together.
Step 2
Draw a dot and cross diagram to show the bonding in a molecule of germanium chloride, GeCl₄. Show outer electrons only.
Answer
A dot and cross diagram for germanium chloride (GeCl₄) would illustrate one germanium atom in the center with four chlorine atoms surrounding it. Each chlorine would be represented by a circle with 7 electrons (dots) around it, with a single shared electron (cross) between the germanium and each chlorine atom.
This results in four pairs of shared electrons, reflecting the four covalent bonds formed between germanium and the four chlorine atoms, which can be depicted as follows:
Cl Cl Cl Cl
• • • •
O----O----O----O (Ge)
• • • •
In this diagram, 'O' represents the germanium atom, and the lines between 'O' and the 'Cl' atoms indicate the shared pairs of electrons.