Question

I know that the more polar the bond between the H and A (if HA is an acid) is, the stronger the acid will be.

what does it mean for a bond to be polar?
is a bond more polar if it is more electronegative?
how are bonds polar and how are bonds nonpolar?
what is the difference between polar bonds and nonpolar bonds?

Answers

DrBob222
Look at the electronegativity EN). The only strictly non-polar bonds, and some might argue that even these are not 100% polar, are diatomic or triatomic molecules such as H2, N2, O3, O2, etc. If there is a difference in EN, you know the bond is polar to some degree. Books differ on what is called a 50% covalent/50% ionic bond but the general rule is that about 1.8 or 1.9 difference is a 50/50 bond. Most of the time we call those with a difference larger than 1.8 (more ionic than covalent) ionic and those with less than 1.8 (more covalent than ionic) covalent. Something in the order of 1.0 difference is about 25% ionic/75% covalent. Most personal note book sized periodic charts have a polarity scale graphed. At least mine does. A bond is polar if there is a dipole moment. I hope this helps clear things up.

Related Questions