Question

what is a polar and non-polar bond in an atom? i believe it happens in covalent bonding right? but how to know if it's a polar bond or not?

also...ionic bond is neither polar nor non-polar right?

Answer 1

polar bond is so called because of polarity which hapens due to differences in electron attraction of individual atom in molecule. one important factor is symetry of molecule, cause if molecule has symetric polar moments they cancel each other out. you know if compound is polar or not simply by looking at electronegativities of atoms which constituate molecule, for example:
H - F:
H - 2,2
F - 4
so there is great difference in electronegativity or other words "hunger" for electrons so HF is a polar molecule
other example of nonpolar molecule:
CCl4
C - 2,5
Cl - 3,2
so here you can see difference in electronegativity but symetry of molecule (tetrahedron) cancels out the sum of polar momentum

Answer 2

i believe my teacher said something about difference of electronegativities too...but how do you know what the electronegativity of an atom is? i know the trend for electronegativity in the periodic table..does that help?

Answer 3

well trend of electronegativity can help you but concrete value has more meaning... you can find out electronegativities by looking in periodic table of elements, even the simple ones should have electronegativities next to atom sign.
and regarding ionic bond it has polarity by itself cause ionic bond is exchange of electrons

Answer 4

so there are no polar or non-polar for ionic right? those two are only used in covalent bonding?

Answer 5

yes

Answer 6

one more thing...my periodic table does not have the electronegativity since it's just a simple periodic table containing the number and the mass..what do i do then?

Answer 7

then you can rely on trend of electronegativity and try to asses the difference in electronegativity, when you practice a little you will get the sense of electronegativity and it will all come natural trust me :)

Answer 8

the trend of electronegativity is

correct?

Answer 9

yes, correct

Answer 10

thanks

Answer 11

not a problem, anytime...