What Is Non-polar Covalent Bond?
A non-polar covalent bond is a type of chemical bond that is formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms. Thus, in an atom, the number of electrons shared by the adjacent atoms will be the same.
The covalent bond is also termed nonpolar because the difference in electronegativity is mostly negligible. It further means that there is no separation of charges between the two atoms or that both atoms have similar electronegativity. This type of bond is also formed when atoms that share a polar bond arrange themselves in such a manner that the electric charges tend to cancel each other out.
A non-polar covalent bond can occur between two identical non-metal atoms or between different atoms.
Non-polar Covalent Compounds
Covalent compounds in which there is no electronegativity difference are known as non-polar covalent compounds. In these compounds, there is no change of electronegativity such that there is no motion of bond pair of electrons towards the bonded atoms.
Hence, there is no bond or dipole moment between the atoms of a molecule and no development of charges on the atoms, further making the molecule non-polar and non-conducting.
Properties of Non-polar Covalent Compounds
1. Physical state: They are mainly existing as gases and less as liquids
2. Nature: They are very soft in nature.
3. Solubility: They are insoluble in water or less soluble in water. But they are more soluble in non-polar solvents, like CCl4, CHCl3 etc.
4. Conductivity: They are insulators since they have no chargeable particles.
5. Boiling and melting points: Since they don’t have any interaction or polarity, they have very low boiling and melting points.
6. Dipole moment: Since the bond is no more polar, they have zero dipole moment.
Also Read: Polar Covalent Bond
Examples of Non-Polar Solids
Some common examples are He, Ne, Ar, Benzene, H2, N2, O2, Cl2, Carbon dioxide, Methane, etc. All these do not show polarity in their bonds; instead, they show zero dipole moments.
Difference between Polar and Non-Polar Covalent Solids
Polar Covalent Solids
- They can exist as solids and liquids.
- They are more soluble in water.
- They are insoluble in benzene, chloroform, etc.
- They are good conductors of heat and electricity.
Read More: Chemical Bonding
Non-Polar Covalent Solids
- They are majorly gases.
- They are insoluble in water.
- They are soluble in chloroform.
- They are insulators.
- London dispersion forces exist between the atoms.
Solved Questions
1. Why is dipole moment zero for non-polar solids?
Answer: The dipole moment is zero because there are no forces of attraction and bond moments between the atoms in the molecules.
2. Why are non-polar solids insulators?
Answer: They are categorised as insulators because there is no ionisation between the particles; hence, there are no charge-carrying ions.
3. Give examples of non-polar solids.
Answer: Hydrogen, Oxygen, Nitrogen, Helium, etc.
4. What type of intermolecular force exists between non-polar solids?
Answer: London dispersion forces exist between non-polar solids.
5. Why are no bond moments present in a hydrogen molecule?
Answer: No bond moments are present in a hydrogen molecule because there is no difference in electronegativity between hydrogen atoms.
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