physical

science
ANGELIQUE I. FUERTE
Polarity depends on the structure
of the molecule. Molecules with
uneven electronegativity have
partial positive and negative
charges which make them polar.
Otherwise, they are nonpolar.
In this lesson, you should be able to:

● Determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar

given its structure.
Polarity is the measure of the
degree of inequality in the
attraction of electrons
between atoms in a molecule.
Polarity means having
dipoles, a positive and a
negative end..
Based on polarity, bonds can either be
polar or nonpolar. In determining the
polarity of a bond, it is important to
know the electronegativity values of the
atoms constituting it.
Polar covalent bonds are characterized
by asymmetrical electron clouds between
the nuclei of each atom, as shown below.
Nonpolar bonds, on
the other hand, are
described by
symmetrical electron
clouds between the
nuclei.
The poles in a polar bond are
represented by the lowercase
Greek letter delta, δ. The
partially negative end is
designated with δ- while the
partially positive end is
designated with δ+. These
symbols were introduced by
Christopher Kelk Ingold and
Edith Hilda Ingold in 1926.
Other ways have been developed by
chemists in representing bond polarity.
One of these is an electrostatic potential
map which represents a bond with its
electron density and uses colors to
represent partial charges.
In this type of diagram, red
and orange colors are used to
represent areas where
electrons are excessively
present (δ-), while blue and
green are used to represent
areas where electrons are
relatively scarce (δ+).
The polarity of bonds is based on the
electronegativity difference (Δχ) of the two atoms
involved in the bond formation. This could
differentiate whether covalent bonds are polar or
nonpolar.
A nonzero electronegativity difference that is
greater than 0.4 (Δχ > 0.4) suggests that there is
unequal charge distribution between the two
atoms. This makes the covalent bond polar and
the atoms in the bond acquire either a partially
positive or a partially negative charge.
For example, the P–Cl is made of atoms P and Cl
with electronegativity values of 2.1 and 3.0,
respectively. Their electronegativity difference is
0.9. Therefore, the bond between P and Cl is polar.
An electronegativity difference that is less than
0.4 (Δχ < 0.4) suggests that there is an equal
charge distribution between the two atoms. This
results in a nonpolar covalent bond.
Some examples are homonuclear bonds such as
H-H, Cl-Cl, and F-F and some heteronuclear bonds
where the electronegativity difference is
negligible, such as C-H.
A bond with an electronegativity difference
above 1.7 (Δχ > 1.7) exits the realm of covalent
bonding and is reclassified as ionic. The
electronegativity difference is so high that the
electrons are transferred totally from one atom
to the other. This is true for molecules composed
of a metal and a nonmetal.
Determine the electronegativity difference and the
type of bond in the molecules. Write Polar covalent
bond or Non-polar covalent bond. Write your
answer in ¼ sheet of paper.

1. CO2
2. PCl3
3. C2H6
4. SF4
5. XeF4