Bond Polarity

Front

What is bond polarity?

Back

Bond polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms joined by the bond. It occurs due to differences in electronegativity between the bonded atoms.

Front

What determines if a molecule is polar or non-polar?

Back

A molecule is polar if it has a net dipole moment due to the arrangement of polar bonds and the electronegativity differences between atoms. Non-polar molecules have an even distribution of charge.

Front

Is H2O a polar or non-polar molecule?

Back

H2O is a polar molecule due to the bent shape and the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.

Front

What is electronegativity?

Back

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond.

Front

List the electronegativity order of C, H, and O from lowest to highest.

Back

H < C < O.

Front

What type of bond is formed between atoms with similar electronegativities?

Back

A nonpolar covalent bond is formed between atoms with similar electronegativities.

Front

What type of bond is formed between atoms with significantly different electronegativities?

Back

An ionic bond is formed between atoms with significantly different electronegativities.

Front

What is a polar covalent bond?

Back

A polar covalent bond is a type of bond where electrons are shared unequally between two atoms, resulting in a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other.

Front

Give an example of a nonpolar molecule.

Back

An example of a nonpolar molecule is methane (CH4), where the electronegativity difference between carbon and hydrogen is minimal.

Front

What is the significance of molecular shape in determining polarity?

Back

Molecular shape affects the distribution of charge; even if a molecule has polar bonds, its shape can result in a nonpolar molecule if the dipoles cancel out.