Question detail
Which of the following pairs of elements would form a polar bond due to their electronegativity difference?
Try the question, check the answer, then read the explanation to understand the curriculum point.
At a glance
MCQ
Type
practice
Style
Topic
Bonding
Question
- A. Na and Cl
- B. C and H
- C. O and H
- D. N and O
Answer
O and H
Explanation
Oxygen (O) is more electronegative than hydrogen (H), leading to a polar bond where the electrons are not shared equally, thus creating a dipole.
Common mistake
Misunderstanding Polar Bonds
Students often confuse electronegativity with the concept of polarity, thinking that a bond is polar simply because it involves different atoms, without considering the actual electronegativity difference.
To correctly explain polar bonds, use the rule that a bond is considered polar if the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms is greater than 0.4. For example, for a bond between chlorine (3.16) and hydrogen (2.20), the electronegativity difference is 0.96, indicating a polar bond. Thus, the bond is polar due to the significant difference in electronegativity.
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