Achlorine atom reacts with a sodium atom to form sodium chloride, nacl. a chlorine atom can also react with another chlorine atom to form a chlorine molecule, cl2. which statement best explains the behavior of chlorine in these two reactions? a) a chlorine atom can form a covalent bond with another atom by sharing electrons. b) a chlorine atom can form an ionic bond with another atom by accepting an electron. c) a chlorine atom can form ionic bonds by accepting an electron and covalent bonds by sharing electrons. d) a chlorine atom can form ionic bonds by sharing electrons and covalent bonds by accepting an electron.

Option (C) is the correct answer.

Explanation:

When an electron is transferred from one atom to another then it results in the formation of ionic bond. Whereas when there is sharing of electron(s) then it results in the formation of covalent bond.

Chlorine being a non-metal readily accepts electron from a metal. For example, NaCl is an ionic compound.

Also, chlorine is able to combine with another chlorine atom by sharing of an electron. For example, is a covalent compound.

Thus, we can conclude that a chlorine atom can form ionic bonds by accepting an electron and covalent bonds by sharing electrons.

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