What are polar

bonds and polar

molecules?
 Polar and Nonpolar Bonds
• There are two types of covalent bonds
1. Nonpolar Covalent Bonds (equal share of electrons)
2. Polar Covalent Bonds (unequal share of electrons)
 Polar Covalent Bond
• A Polar Covalent Bond is unequal sharing of electrons
between two atoms (H-Cl)
• In a polar covalent bond, one atom typically has a negative
charge, and the other atom has a positive charge
 Nonpolar Covalent Bond
• A Nonpolar Covalent Bond is equal sharing of electrons
between two atoms (Cl-Cl, N-N, O-O)
 Classification of Bonds
You can determine the type of bond between two atoms by calculating
the difference in electronegativity values between the elements
The bigger the electronegativity difference the more polar the bond.

Type of Bond Electronegativity Difference

Nonpolar Covalent 0  0.4

Polar Covalent 0.5  1.9

Ionic 2.0  4.0

Practice:
What type of bond is HCl? (H = 2.1, Cl = 3.1)
Difference = 3.1 – 2.1 = 1.0
Therefore it is polar covalent bond. (0.5  1.9)

Your Turn To Practice

1. N(3.0) and H(2.1)
2. H(2.1) and H(2.1)
3. Ca(1.0) and Cl(3.0)
How to show a bond is polar?
• Isn’t a whole charge just a partial charge
• d+ means a partially positive (less electronegative)
• d- means a partially negative (more electronegative)
• The Cl pulls harder on the electrons
• The electrons spend more time near the Cl
 Polar Molecules
• Molecules with a positive and a negative end
• Requires two things to be true
 The molecule must contain polar bonds
This can be determined from differences in
electronegativity.
Asymmetric molecule.
Symmetry- the quality of something
that has two sides or halves that are
the same or very close in size, shape,
and position.
Asymmetric- having two sides or
halves that are not the same.
 Symmetrical Molecules
• Because of symmetry, molecules that have polar bonds are
overall a nonpolar molecules (+ and – charges cancel out
or balance out)
• Examples:
 Asymmetrical Molecules
• If a molecule has polar bonds (and there is no symmetry to
cancel out + and – charges), the molecule is polar.
• Examples:
What is Dipole?
• When there is unequal sharing of electrons a dipole
exists
• Dipole is a molecule that has two poles or regions with
opposite charges
• A dipole is represented by a dipole arrow pointing
towards the more negative end
 Practice Drawing Dipoles
P- Br
P = 2.1
Br = 2.8
 Let’s Practice

1. H(2.1) – S(2.5)
2. F(4.0) - C(2.5)
3. C(2.5) - Si(1.8)
4. N(3.0) – O(3.5)
Summary
• In a polar bond, one atom is more electronegative than the
other.
• In a nonpolar bond, both atoms have similar
electronegativities.
• An asymmetric molecule with polar bonds is a polar
molecule.
• An asymmetric molecule with nonpolar bonds is a
nonpolar molecule.
• A symmetric molecule, regardless of the polarity of the
bonds, is always a nonpolar molecule.