Chemical Bonding is one of 9 topics in the Grade 10 Physical Sciences CAPS syllabus, covered across 3 lessons on Study Vault. Below are real practice questions from this topic with full worked answers.
Sample practice questions
Easy
1. The octet rule states that most atoms are most stable when they have how many electrons in their outermost energy level?
8
2
4
18
Answer: 8 — The octet rule states most atoms are most stable with 8 valence electrons, matching the stable electron configuration of the noble gases.
Easy
2. Why are noble gases (Group 18) so chemically unreactive?
They already have a full, stable outer energy level
They have no electrons at all
They have too many protons to react
They are always found as free atoms with no valence electrons
Answer: They already have a full, stable outer energy level — Noble gases already have a full (stable) outer energy level (8 electrons, or 2 for helium), so they have little tendency to lose, gain, or share electrons.
Medium
3. An atom with 2 valence electrons (a typical metal) will most likely achieve a stable octet by:
Losing its 2 valence electrons
Gaining 6 electrons
Gaining 2 electrons
Sharing all of its electrons only
Answer: Losing its 2 valence electrons — A metal with only a few valence electrons (like 2) more easily achieves stability by losing those electrons than by gaining the many needed to reach 8.
