Bond polarity and electronegativity
Bond polarity and electronegativity
Formula
δ+ — δ− (dipole notation); Electronegativity difference → bond polarity
Real World
In HCl gas, chlorine (electronegativity 3.16) pulls electron density away from hydrogen (2.20), creating a permanent dipole — this is why HCl dissolves readily in water to form hydrochloric acid.
Exam Focus
When asked if a molecule is polar, check both bond polarity AND symmetry — a symmetrical molecule like CCl₄ has polar bonds but zero net dipole.
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