Which bond type is generally weaker and often occurs between molecules rather than within molecules?

• A. Covalent bond
• B. Ionic bond
• C. Hydrogen bond
• D. Metallic bond

Answer: (C)

Hydrogen bonds are relatively weak attractions that typically form between separate molecules rather than inside a single molecule. They happen when a hydrogen atom that is covalently bonded to a highly electronegative atom like oxygen or nitrogen is attracted to a lone pair on another electronegative atom nearby. Because this is an intermolecular interaction, it is weaker than covalent bonds, which involve sharing electrons within a molecule, and weaker than ionic bonds, which arise from full charge transfer between ions. Metallic bonds, involving a lattice of ions in a sea of electrons, are also generally stronger. This weaker, intermolecular nature is what makes hydrogen bonding the best description for bonds that are generally weaker and often occur between molecules.