What type of bonds form from the unequal sharing of electrons
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
The type of bond that forms from the unequal sharing of electrons is called a polar covalent bond. In this bond, two atoms share electrons, but they do so unequally due to differences in their electronegativity values. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom’s ability to attract shared electrons toward itself. When atoms of different elements form a bond, the atom with the higher electronegativity will pull the shared electrons closer to itself. This results in a partial negative charge (δ-) on the more electronegative atom and a partial positive charge (δ+) on the less electronegative atom.
A classic example of a polar covalent bond is the bond between hydrogen and oxygen in a water molecule (H₂O). Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, so the electrons in the bond are pulled more toward the oxygen atom. As a result, the oxygen atom becomes partially negatively charged, while the hydrogen atoms become partially positively charged.
The degree of polarity in a bond depends on the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms. If the electronegativity difference is significant (but not large enough to form an ionic bond), the bond is considered polar. For example, in a carbon-oxygen bond, oxygen has a higher electronegativity, so the bond is polar.
Polar covalent bonds give rise to molecules with dipole moments, where one side of the molecule is slightly negative, and the other side is slightly positive. These dipoles can interact with other polar molecules, leading to phenomena such as hydrogen bonding, which is responsible for many of water’s unique properties, like its high boiling point and surface tension.
In summary, polar covalent bonds arise when atoms with different electronegativities share electrons unevenly, resulting in partial charges within the molecule.
