Question

The covalent compound HCl has partial ionic character because:

• A. electronegativity of hydrogen is greater than that of chlorine
• B. electronegativity of hydrogen is same as that of chlorine
• C. electronegativity of hydrogen is less than that of chlorine
• D. hydrogen is a metal while chlorine is a non-metal

Answer 1

The correct option is C electronegativity of hydrogen is less than that of chlorine

When atoms of different elements are linked by covalent bond, the shared electrons are not attracted equally by two nuclei of bonding atoms due to unequal distribution of electron cloud one end acquires partial positive charge and the other end acquires partial negative charge .E.N.of H=2.1 and E.N. of Cl=3 so, the covalent bond in HCl has $17-18\%$ ionic character.