The C-Cl bond is best described as A. nonpolar covalent B. polar covalent D. coordinate covalent E. None of these. C. ionic None
The Correct Answer and Explanation is :
The correct answer is B. polar covalent.
Explanation:
A covalent bond forms when two atoms share electrons. However, not all covalent bonds are the same—some are polar, and some are nonpolar. The polarity of a covalent bond depends on the difference in electronegativity between the two bonded atoms.
- Electronegativity of Carbon and Chlorine:
- Carbon (C) has an electronegativity of 2.55.
- Chlorine (Cl) has an electronegativity of 3.16.
- Electronegativity Difference:
- The difference in electronegativity between carbon and chlorine is 3.16 – 2.55 = 0.61.
- According to the Pauling scale, a difference of:
- 0 to 0.4 → Nonpolar covalent bond
- 0.5 to 1.7 → Polar covalent bond
- >1.7 → Ionic bond
- Why Not Other Options?
- A. Nonpolar Covalent: Incorrect, because the electronegativity difference is significant enough to create polarity.
- C. Ionic: Incorrect, because an ionic bond typically forms when the electronegativity difference is greater than 1.7, leading to complete electron transfer.
- D. Coordinate Covalent: Incorrect, because a coordinate covalent bond involves both shared electrons coming from one atom, which is not the case here.
- E. None of These: Incorrect, as we have a valid answer.
Conclusion:
The C-Cl bond is polar covalent because chlorine attracts shared electrons more strongly than carbon, creating a dipole moment where chlorine has a slight negative charge (δ⁻) and carbon has a slight positive charge (δ⁺).