Question

What are polar and non polar covalent compounds?

Answer 1

Covalent bond

• The equal sharing of electrons from both participating atoms forms a covalent bond.
• Shared pair or bonding pair refers to the pair of electrons involved in this type of bonding.

Polar covalent compound

• In a polar covalent bond, two atoms share a pair of electrons unequally because of differences in their electro-negativities.
• The unequal distribution of electrons causes the bonded atoms to acquire fractional positive and negative charges.
• Examples: Hydrochloride acid $\left(\mathrm{HCl}\right)$ and water $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\mathrm{O}\right)$

Non-polar covalent compound

• When atoms share an equal number of electrons, a non-polar covalent bond is formed.
• There is no difference in the electronegativity of the two atoms.
• It occurs when two atoms with the same electron affinities come together, as in diatomic elements.
• Examples are gas molecules such as hydrogen $\left({\mathrm{H}}_2\right)$ and nitrogen $\left({\mathrm{N}}_2\right)$.