Polar and Non-Polar Covalent Bonds
In this section, we explore two main types of covalent bonds: non-polar and polar covalent bonds. A non-polar covalent bond is formed when two atoms share electrons equally, which typically occurs in diatomic molecules such as hydrogen (H₂) and chlorine (Cl₂). These molecules have similar electronegativities, meaning they attract electrons equally.
In contrast, a polar covalent bond arises when there is an unequal sharing of electrons between two atoms with dissimilar electronegativities, leading to a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other. A classic example is hydrogen chloride (HCl), where chlorine attracts the shared electron pair more strongly due to its higher electronegativity, resulting in a dipole moment. Understanding these types of covalent bonds is essential for predicting molecular behaviors and interactions in various chemical contexts.