Hydrogen generally form covalent compounds. Give reason

Explanation

**Step-by-Step Solution:**

1. **Understanding Covalent Compounds**:
- Covalent compounds are formed when two or more atoms share electrons to achieve a stable electron configuration. This sharing allows each atom to attain a full outer shell of electrons.

2. **Nature of Hydrogen**:
- Hydrogen has one electron in its outer shell (1s orbital). To achieve stability, it needs a total of two electrons (a duet) in its outer shell.

3. **Electron Sharing vs. Electron Transfer**:
- In ionic compounds, electrons are transferred from one atom to another, leading to the formation of charged ions. However, hydrogen cannot easily lose its single electron because that would leave it with no electrons at all, making it unstable.

4. **Preference for Sharing Electrons**:
- Since hydrogen cannot lose its electron without becoming unstable, it prefers to share its electron with other atoms. This sharing allows hydrogen to achieve a stable electron configuration.

5. **Example of Hydrogen Chloride (HCl)**:
- In the case of hydrogen chloride (HCl), hydrogen shares its single electron with chlorine, which has seven electrons in its outer shell. By sharing, hydrogen achieves a duet (two electrons), and chlorine completes its octet (eight electrons). This mutual sharing of electrons forms a covalent bond.

6. **Conclusion**:
- Therefore, hydrogen generally forms covalent compounds because it prefers to share its single electron with other atoms rather than losing it, allowing both hydrogen and the other atom to achieve stable electron configurations.

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