Question

According to Pauling's scale, for the formation of covalent bond, the difference in the value of electronegativities should be

• A. $\text{Equal to or less than 1.7}$
• B. $\text{More than 1.7}$
• C. $\text{1.7 or more}$
• D. None

Answer 1

The correct option is A $\text{Equal to or less than 1.7}$

Covalent bond is formed by the sharing of electron between two atoms.
When the electronegativity difference increases more than $1.7$, then the electron cloud don't disperse over the two atoms equally and the sharing of electron doesn't hold good. Here, ionic bond is formed.
So, the electronegativity difference should be equal to or less than $1.7$.