Question

How do I find out which element holds the partially negative and which holds the partially positive charge in an atom?

Answer 1

Compare the electronegativity between each of the elements. The most electronegative will acquire the partial negative, and the other will be slightly positive.

Answer 2

Yes, in the case of carbon monoxide, for instance, CO, you know that oxygen is more electronegative than carbon, so you know oxygen will carry a \(\delta\)\(^-\) (partial negative), while carbon arries a \(\delta\)\(^+\), partial positive charge.