Question detail
What is the effect of electronegativity on the polarity of a bond?
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. It determines the bond length
- B. It affects the bond strength
- C. It influences the distribution of electron density
- D. It has no effect on the bond
Answer
It influences the distribution of electron density
Explanation
Electronegativity differences between atoms influence how electron density is distributed in a bond, leading to the formation of polar or non-polar bonds based on the relative attraction of the atoms for the shared electrons.
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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