Is oxygen a metallic or covalent bond?

Answer 1

Oxygen can form both metallic and covalent bonds, depending on the specific elements it interacts with and the conditions under which the bonding occurs.

Covalent Bonds: In its most common form, oxygen forms covalent bonds with other nonmetals. For example, in a molecule like oxygen gas (O2), two oxygen atoms share electrons through covalent bonds. This sharing of electrons creates a stable molecule.

Metallic Bonds: Oxygen can also form metallic bonds with certain metals. Metallic bonding occurs when electrons are free to move throughout a metal lattice, creating a "sea" of electrons that are shared by all the atoms in the metal. Oxygen can be a part of such a metallic lattice in compounds known as metal oxides. For example, in rust (iron oxide), oxygen forms a metallic bond with iron atoms.

So, to sum it up, oxygen primarily forms covalent bonds with nonmetals and metallic bonds with some metals in the context of metal oxides.

Answer 2

Oxygen is a covalent bond