[ParadoX]

I had this mcq in a test, regarding which i am in conflict with one of my teachers. The mcq was:


The force by which different atoms combine to form different compounds etc is:

A:centrifugal
B:gravitational
C:chemical bond
D:electrical force


now options A and B are obviously irrelevant, i did not know the difference between electrical and electrostatic forces (still don't know though i think they are the same). anyways, i worked out that "chemical bond" is not itself a force, and is the result of electrostatic forces, and that electrical and electrostatic forces are basically the same ...so i marked D(electrical force) as my answer. however one of my teachers insists that chemical bond is the correct answer.


now two things, firstly kindly differentiate between electrical and electrostatic forces, if there really is a difference and then point out IF "chemical bond" itself is a force ...and hence tell me if my choice was wrong or right.

[Bryby]

I beleive electrical force involves the flow of electrons whereas an electrostatic force involves positive and/or negative charges attracting or repulsion. For example, the electron and nucleus are held together by electrostatic forces. A chemical bond is an electrical force holding atoms together. So technically i beleive a chemical bond is a force... However, d and c are still pretty much the same. Maybe chemical bond is more descriptive. A good question, hopefully someone else knows more.

[FeLiXe]

in my opinion this is kind of a stupid hair-splitting question

of the four forces of nature (gravity, strong, weak, electromagnetic), chemistry happens in the electromagnetic regime or electrostatic or electrical (there is not really a difference between those terms in this context)

some compounds, the salts, are held together by purely electrostatic forces

molecules are held together by chemical bonds. the force of nature for this is the electrostatic force. but here it is important to remember that quantum effects bring the particles in places where there is electrostatic attraction. so it is not electrostatic attraction in the classical sense. and you could say that the molecule is held together by "chemical bond" because the interaction is so different from electrostatic interaction in our macroscopic world

i don't know if I could express this clearly. anyway, the point is that this seems to be a badly posed question for a multiple choice test

[jcjlf]

I had this mcq in a test, regarding which i am in conflict with one of my teachers. The mcq was:


The force by which different atoms combine to form different compounds etc is:

A:centrifugal
B:gravitational
C:chemical bond
D:electrical force


now options A and B are obviously irrelevant, i did not know the difference between electrical and electrostatic forces (still don't know though i think they are the same). anyways, i worked out that "chemical bond" is not itself a force, and is the result of electrostatic forces, and that electrical and electrostatic forces are basically the same ...so i marked D(electrical force) as my answer. however one of my teachers insists that chemical bond is the correct answer.


now two things, firstly kindly differentiate between electrical and electrostatic forces, if there really is a difference and then point out IF "chemical bond" itself is a force ...and hence tell me if my choice was wrong or right.

I agree with FeliXe that this is a badly posed question.
But if we all agree on four forces in nature (gravitational, electromagnetic, Strong  and Weak (nuclear), you're answer is the right one and your teacher should give you credit for the fact that you helped him to improve his mcq's Sometimes the weak interactions in supramolecular complexes are even not considered as chemical bonds... but they are electrical of nature.

[Kitchench3m]

I think first of all that the question is not well worded at all. You have come up with a problem that many people (myself included) have had, reading too far into things. Your teacher probably meant for force to mean a form of energy, in which case a chemical bond is most definitely what holds the atoms together. Even though a chemical bond is not a force in and of itself, it is the "best answer" for the question. (using some of that SAT crap they shoved down my throat for once...) But don't get discouraged. Just hold your head high knowing that you had more knowledge about the question than your teacher did.