Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video
Multiple Choice
What is the primary difference between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds?
A
Polar covalent bonds have higher bond energies than nonpolar covalent bonds.
B
Polar covalent bonds involve the transfer of electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds involve the sharing of electrons.
C
Polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electrons.
D
Polar covalent bonds occur between metals, while nonpolar covalent bonds occur between nonmetals.
Verified step by step guidance
1
Understand the nature of covalent bonds: Covalent bonds are formed when two atoms share electrons. This sharing allows each atom to attain the electron configuration of a noble gas, achieving stability.
Differentiate between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds: In nonpolar covalent bonds, the electrons are shared equally between the two atoms because they have similar electronegativities. In contrast, polar covalent bonds occur when the electrons are shared unequally due to a difference in electronegativity between the two atoms.
Recognize the role of electronegativity: Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons. When two atoms with different electronegativities form a bond, the more electronegative atom will attract the shared electrons more strongly, resulting in a polar covalent bond.
Identify the characteristics of polar covalent bonds: In a polar covalent bond, the unequal sharing of electrons creates a dipole moment, where one end of the bond is slightly negative, and the other end is slightly positive.
Summarize the primary difference: The key difference between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds is the equality of electron sharing. Polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons due to differences in electronegativity, while nonpolar covalent bonds involve equal sharing of electrons between atoms with similar electronegativities.