Explain the difference between polar and non-polar covalent bonds.

  • Non-polar covalent bond: A non-polar covalent bond forms when two atoms share electrons equally. This typically occurs between two identical non-metals (e.g., H₂, O₂) where the electronegativity difference between the atoms is negligible or zero. As a result, the electron distribution is uniform, and there is no partial charge on the atoms.

  • Polar covalent bond: A polar covalent bond forms when two atoms share electrons unequally due to a difference in their electronegativity values. The atom with the higher electronegativity attracts the shared electrons more strongly, resulting in a partial negative charge (δ-) on that atom and a partial positive charge (δ+) on the other atom. An example of a polar covalent bond is the bond between hydrogen and oxygen in water (H₂O), where oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen.

Related Questions:

  1. State octet and duplet rules.
  2. Explain the formation of a covalent bond between two nitrogen atoms.
  3. How does Al form a cation?
  4. Draw an electron cross and dot structure for an H₂O molecule.
  5. Describe the importance of noble gas electronic configuration.
  6. Why do noble gases not form bonds easily?
  7. How does O form an anion?
  8. Explain how elements attain stability.
  9. Describe the ways in which bonds may be formed.
  10. Describe the formation of a covalent bond between two non-metallic elements.
  11. Explain with examples single, double, and triple covalent bonds.
  12. Find the number of valence electrons in the following atoms using the periodic table:
  13. Represent the formation of cations for the following metal atoms using electron dot structures:
  14. A sample of sulfur from a volcano was analyzed to give the following composition of isotopes (Atomic No. of S = 16):
  15. An atom of an element has an atomic number of 9 and a mass number of 19:
  16. Define ionic bond and give an example.
  17. Which atom has a higher shielding effect, Li or Na?
  18. Explain why Na has higher ionization energy than K.
  19. Alkali metals belong to the S-block in the periodic table. Why?
  20. Arrange the elements in each of the following groups in order of increasing ionization energy: