Polarisation

Question 1

What is electronegativity?

Answer 1

The ability of an atom to attract the bonding electrons in a covalent bond.

Question 2

What is electronegativity measured on?

Answer 2

The Pauling Scale- a higher number means an element is better able to attract the bonding electrons.

Question 3

What is the most electronegative element?

Answer 3

Flourine

Question 4

Why are the covalent bonds in diatomic gases non polar?

Answer 4

The atoms have equal electro-negativities and so the electrons are equally attracted to both nuclei.

Question 5

What makes a bond polar?

Answer 5

In a covalent bond between two atoms of different electro-negativities the bonding electrons are pulled towards the electronegative atom.

Question 6

In a polar bond, what does the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms cause?

Answer 6

A dipole.

Question 7

What is a dipole?

Answer 7

A difference in charge between the two atoms caused by shift in electron density in the bond.
The greater the difference in electronegativity, the more polar the bond.