2.14 - Electronegativity and Bond Polarity Flashcards
What is electronegativity?
The ability of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons?
What is the most electronegative element?
Fluorine
What is the trend in electronegativity down a group?
It decreases
What is the trend in electronegativity across a period, from left to right?
It increases
Why is fluorine the most electronegative element?
Because fluorine has the greatest nuclear charge in period 2, but the smallest atomic radius, so the pulling effect of the nucleus is enhanced
What does the electron density distribution diagram of a non-polar molecule look like?
Symmetrical lines (like a perfect contour map)
What about for a polar molecule?
Distorted
Why?
Because the atoms have partial charges
In terms of ionic and covalent bonding, what is a polar covalent bond?
A covalent bond with some degree of ionic character
Why?
Because there are charges involved (like ions)
