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Last exams 2024

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Bond Polarity (DP IB Chemistry: SL)

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Bond Polarity

  • When two atoms in a covalent bond have the same electronegativity the covalent bond is nonpolar

Chemical Bonding Nonpolar Diatomic Molecule, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The two chlorine atoms have identical electronegativities so the bonding electrons are shared equally between the two atoms

  • When two atoms in a covalent bond have different electronegativities the covalent bond is polar and the electrons will be drawn towards the more electronegative atom
  • As a result of this:
    • The negative charge centre and positive charge centre do not coincide with each other
    • This means that the electron distribution is asymmetric
    • The less electronegative atom gets a partial charge of δ+ (delta positive)
    • The more electronegative atom gets a partial charge of δ- (delta negative)

  • The greater the difference in electronegativity the more polar the bond becomes

Chemical Bonding Polar Diatomic Molecule, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

Cl has a greater electronegativity than H causing the electrons to be more attracted towards the Cl atom which becomes delta negative and the H delta positive

Dipole moment

  • The dipole moment is a measure of how polar a bond is
  • The direction of the dipole moment is shown by the following sign in which the arrow points to the partially negatively charged end of the dipole:

 

Chemical Bonding Dipole, downloadable AS & A Level Chemistry revision notes

The sign shows the direction of the dipole moment and the arrow points to the delta negative end of the dipole

Worked example

The electronegativity values of four elements are given.

C = 2.6        N = 3.0       O = 3.4       F = 4.0

What is the order of increasing polarity of the bonds in the following compounds?

A. CO < OF2 < NO < CF4

B. NO < OF2 < CO < CF4

C. CF4 < CO < OF2 < NO

D. CF4 < NO < OF2 < CO

Answer:

The correct option is B.

    • You have to calculate the difference in electronegativity for the bonds and then rank them from smallest to largest:

NO  (3.4 - 3.0 = 0.4)

OF(4.0 - 3.4 = 0.6)

CO   (3.4 - 2.6 = 0.8)

CF4  (4.0 - 2.6 = 1.4)

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Stewart

Author: Stewart

Expertise: Chemistry Lead

Stewart has been an enthusiastic GCSE, IGCSE, A Level and IB teacher for more than 30 years in the UK as well as overseas, and has also been an examiner for IB and A Level. As a long-standing Head of Science, Stewart brings a wealth of experience to creating Exam Questions and revision materials for Save My Exams. Stewart specialises in Chemistry, but has also taught Physics and Environmental Systems and Societies.