Why is hydrogen likely to form h two than helium


The hydrogen atom, H, has an electron configuration of 1s1. It has one unpaired electron in its only electron orbital, 1s. The helium atom, He, has an electron configuration of 1s2. It has one pair of electrons in its only electron orbital (or shell), 1s. Why is hydrogen more likely to form H2 than helium is to form He2?

Choose one answer.

a. Helium atoms prefer to bond with different atoms (than He), whereas hydrogen readily bonds with itself.

b. Helium atoms have a filled outer orbital (the s-orbital). There is no place for electron sharing that would have to occur to form He2. The outer orbital of the hydrogen atom is half-filled, which is ideal for electron sharing.

c. Hydrogen is more likely to form H2 than helium is to form He2 because the hydrogen atom has fewer electron orbitals than the helium atom.

d. The hydrogen atom is intolerant of accepting another electron to share in its orbital. It prefers to not interact with other hydrogen atoms.

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Chemistry: Why is hydrogen likely to form h two than helium
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