Question detail
What is the reason that carbon-halogen bonds in halogenoalkanes are polar?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Halogenoalkanes
Question
- A. Carbon is more electronegative than halogens.
- B. Halogens are more electronegative than carbon.
- C. Carbon and halogens have equal electronegativity.
- D. Halogens have a lower atomic number than carbon.
Answer
Halogens are more electronegative than carbon.
Explanation
The carbon-halogen bond is polar because halogens are more electronegative than carbon, leading to a partial negative charge on the halogen and a partial positive charge on the carbon.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Bond Enthalpy
Students often confuse bond enthalpy with bond strength, leading to incorrect conclusions about reaction rates.
To clarify, remember that bond enthalpy is the energy required to break a bond. Use the formula for reaction rate dependence on bond enthalpy: a lower bond enthalpy indicates a faster reaction rate. For example, if the carbon-bromine bond has a bond enthalpy of 285 kJ/mol and the carbon-chlorine bond has a bond enthalpy of 338 kJ/mol, the reaction involving the carbon-bromine bond will proceed faster due to lower energy required to break the bond. Thus, the reaction rate is influenced by bond enthalpy.
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