Covalent bonds are chemical bonds between two atoms. There are two types of covalent bonds, polar and non-polar. While both polar and non-polar covalent bonds share common properties, there is a significant difference between the two types of bonds. In this post, we will explore the difference between polar and non-polar covalent bonds, and how they differ in terms of their chemical structure and reactivity. We will also discuss the applications of each type of bond.
What are Non-polar Covalent Bonds?
Non-polar covalent bonds are those in which the electrons are shared equally between the atoms. These bonds are usually formed between atoms that have similar electronegativities, such as carbon and hydrogen. Non-polar covalent bonds are generally weaker than polar covalent bonds, but they are still much stronger than ionic bonds. Non-polar molecules tend to be insoluble in water, but they can be dissolved in other non-polar solvents. Non-polar covalent bonds are found in a variety of molecules, including many organic compounds.
What are Polar Covalent Bonds?
Polar covalent bonds are chemical bonds in which the electrons are shared unequally between the atoms. This results in a net dipole moment, with the negative end of the dipole pointing towards the more electronegative atom.
- Polar covalent bonds occur when the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms is between 0.5 and 1.9 on the Pauling scale. Examples of molecules with polar covalent bonds include water (H-O), ammonia (N-H), and carbon dioxide (C=O).
- The relative polarity of a bond can be measured by its Bond Polarization Index (BPI). The BPI is a ratio of the observed dipole moment to the maximum possible dipole moment for that bond.
- A value of 1 indicates a perfectly polar bond, while a value of 0 indicates a non-polar bond. Polar covalent bonds are important in many areas of chemistry, including biochemistry, electrochemistry, and materials science.
Difference between Non-Polar and Polar Covalent Bonds
- Non-polar covalent bonds are chemical bonds between two atoms in which the electronegativity difference is zero. This means that the electrons are shared equally between the two atoms.
- Polar covalent bonds are chemical bonds between two atoms in which the electronegativity difference is not zero. This means that the electrons are not shared equally between the two atoms, and one atom has a greater attraction for the electrons than the other atom.
- As a result, polar covalent bonds are more electrically charged than non-polar covalent bonds. The type of bond that forms between two atoms depends on the difference in their electronegativities. If the difference is zero, then a non-polar covalent bond will form. If the difference is not zero, then a polar covalent bond will form.
Conclusion
In order to understand the difference between non-polar and polar covalent bonds, it is important to first understand what each type of bond is. A covalent bond is a chemical bond that occurs when two atoms share electrons. There are two types of covalent bonds: polar and non-polar. Polar covalent bonds happen when the atoms share electrons unequally. This creates a positive charge on one atom and a negative charge on the other atom. Non-polar covalent bonds occur when the atoms share electrons equally.
This creates no net charge on either atom. So, what difference does this make? The difference between non-polar and polar covalent bonds affects how molecules interact with each other. Polar molecules interact well with water because the polarity of the water molecule can dissolve polar molecules. Non-polar molecules do not interact well with water and tend to be less soluble in water than polar molecules
