Ceist Eile

Ceist Eile is in development. Features, questions and prices may change while we refine it.

Subjects · Leaving Cert Chemistry

Leaving Cert Chemistry: Covalent bonding

How often Covalent bonding comes up on the Chemistry papers, every year it was asked, and questions to try.

HL Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022. most years

OL Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

June 2027 is the first exam on the new Chemistry course. These come from the 2016–2026 papers, so read them as a guide.

Covalent bonding, Higher Level(8 marks)

Quick ones on Covalent bonding.

(a)Species containing a dative covalent bond?
  1. The methane molecule, CH4
  2. The ammonium ion, NH4+
  3. The chlorine molecule, Cl2
(b)A covalent bond is?
  1. An attraction between oppositely charged ions
  2. A complete transfer of electrons
  3. A shared pair of electrons
(c)Why do simple covalent substances have low melting points?
  1. The forces between the molecules are weak
  2. They are made up of ions
  3. The covalent bonds themselves are weak
Show the answers

(a) The ammonium ion, NH4+

(b) A shared pair of electrons

(c) The forces between the molecules are weak

Your turn: Higher Level questions on Covalent bonding.

Higher Level

Asked on 6 of the last 10 Higher Level papers, most recently in 2022. most years

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Not asked
2025Not asked
2024Not asked
2023Not asked
2022Q4(j)
2021Q4(f), Q10(a)
2019Q4(e)
2018Q11(a)
2017Q4(g), Q11(b)
2016Q4(d)

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Covalent bonding questions

Covalent bonding, 2 marks

Number of lone pairs on the nitrogen atom in ammonia, NH3?

  1. 0
  2. 2
  3. 1
Show the answer

1

Nitrogen has 5 outer electrons. Three are used in N-H bonds, leaving one lone pair.

Ordinary Level

Asked on 10 of the last 10 Ordinary Level papers, most recently in 2026. banker

Every paper, year by year

YearWhere it came up
2026Q5
2025Q11(b)
2024Q5
2023Q4(b)
2022Q5
2021Q5
2019Q5
2018Q5
2017Q10(b)
2016Q10(c)

Links open the State Examinations Commission’s paper for that year.

More Covalent bonding questions

Covalent bonding, 2 marks

Bond between the two atoms in an oxygen molecule, O2?

  1. A single bond
  2. A triple bond
  3. A double bond
Show the answer

A double bond

Each oxygen has 6 outer electrons and needs 2 more, so the atoms share two pairs.

Covalent bonding, 2 marks

The octet rule states that atoms tend to?

  1. Form molecules containing exactly 8 atoms each
  2. Gain, lose or share electrons to get 8 in their outer shell
  3. Gain or lose protons until there are 8 in the nucleus
Show the answer

Gain, lose or share electrons to get 8 in their outer shell

A full outer shell of 8 is the stable noble gas arrangement. Hydrogen is an exception, needing only 2.

Covalent bonding, 2 marks

Which of these substances is covalent?

  1. Water
  2. Sodium chloride
  3. Magnesium oxide
Show the answer

Water

Water is made of non-metals sharing electrons. A metal joined to a non-metal usually gives an ionic compound.

Other Chemistry topics

All of Leaving Cert Chemistry