Of these three separate and individual elements: F, Ra, and As, Arsenic is more

Question

Of these three separate and individual elements: F, Ra, and As, Arsenic is more likely to form polar bonds. Why and how do you tell?

Explanation / Answer

F since it is highly electronegative For the commonly encounted atoms in High School Science, the order in decreasing electronegativity is F > O > N ~ Cl > Br > C ~ S ~ I > P ~ H > Si Identical non-metallic atoms have identical electronegativities and form non-polar covalent bonds since the bonding electrons will be shared equally between the atoms in the molecule. When atoms of similar, but different, electronegativities (a difference < ~1.7) bond, the more electronegative atom has a greater share of the bonding electrons than the less electronegative atom. The more electronegative atom has a partial negative charge, and the less electronegative atom has a partial positive charge. The resulting covalent bond is called a polar covalent bond. Non-metals are more electronegative than metals. When an extremely electronegative atom, like fluorine, bonds with an electropositive atom, like sodium, the resulting bond is ionic due to the huge difference in electronegativity (difference > ~1.7). The electronegative atom's pull on the bonding electrons is so strong that it pulls the bonding electron off the electropositive atom resulting in two opposite.

Related Questions

Navigate

• Browse (All)
• Browse O
• Subjects

---

---

Integrity-first tutoring: explanations and feedback only — we do not complete graded work. Learn more.