Bond Polarity and Molecule Polarity

created October 22, 2024 | last updated: October 22, 2024

Nonpolar Covalent Bond

If the atoms are identical (have identical electronegativity values), e.g. Cl₂, the electrons are shared equally (nonpolar)

Polar Covalent Bond

• electrons are shared between 2 different atoms, e.g. HBr, the sharing is unequal

• The bonding electrons spend more time near the more electronegative atom

what is Electronegativity Differences

absolute value of the difference in electronegativities of two bonded atoms → provides a measure of polarity of a bond

∆EN ≤ 0.4

nonpolar covalent

0.5 < ∆EN <1.7

Polar covalentt

∆EN ≥ 1.7

Ionic

in a polar bond like water, since the H doesn’t completely transfer its electron to O, the H is partially [__], and O is partially [__]

H — δ+ | O — δ-

molecule polarity depends on which 2 factors

• polarity of the bonds

• shape of the molecule

which 2 structures are always polar?

trigonal pyramidal; bent molecules