Chemical Bonding: Polar and Nonpolar Molecules

Flashcards covering key concepts of polarity, polar and nonpolar molecules, electron sharing, and relevant examples from chemical bonding.

Polarity

The property of having distinct regions with differing electrical charges due to uneven electron sharing.

Polar Bond

A bond where electrons are shared unequally between two atoms due to differences in electronegativity.

Electronegativity

The tendency of an atom to attract electrons towards itself when involved in a chemical bond.

Nonpolar Bond

A bond where electrons are shared equally between two atoms with the same electronegativity.

Polar Molecule

A molecule that has regions of positive and negative charge due to the presence of polar bonds.

Nonpolar Molecule

A molecule that does not have regions of positive and negative charge, typically due to symmetric distribution of electron charge.

Symmetry

A characteristic of molecules which can indicate whether they are polar or nonpolar based on their geometric configuration.

Example of Polar Molecule

HF (Hydrogen Fluoride), where the shared electrons are pulled closer to fluorine.

Example of Nonpolar Molecule

H2 (Hydrogen Gas), where the two atoms share electrons equally.

General Rule for Polar Molecules

Different atoms around a central atom will always form polar molecules.

General Rule for Nonpolar Molecules

Same atoms around a central atom will always form nonpolar molecules.