Algonquin College Health Program Assessment (AC-HPAT) Practice Exam

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What does it mean for a bond to be polar?

  1. Electrons are shared equally

  2. There is a complete transfer of electrons

  3. Electrons are shared unequally between atoms of different electronegativities

  4. The bond only involves metallic elements

The correct answer is: Electrons are shared unequally between atoms of different electronegativities

A polar bond is characterized by the unequal sharing of electrons between two atoms that possess different electronegativities. Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to attract shared electrons. When two atoms with differing electronegativities form a bond, the atom with the higher electronegativity will attract the shared electrons more strongly, leading to a partial negative charge at that atom and a partial positive charge at the other atom. This separation of charges creates a dipole moment, resulting in a polar bond. In contrast, when electrons are shared equally, it signifies a nonpolar bond, where both atoms attract the electrons with similar strength. A complete transfer of electrons, on the other hand, leads to ionic bonds rather than polar covalent bonds. Lastly, while metallic bonds involve metallic elements, they are distinct from polar and nonpolar bonds, which are typically covalent in nature and not restricted to metallic elements. Thus, the defining characteristic of polar bonds is the unequal sharing of electrons due to differences in electronegativity.