Question

Determine whether the bonds in each of the following compounds are polar or nonpolar covalent bonds:

H2
H2O
Cl2
HCl
CO2

Type Answer or Dont Bother Answering

Answer 1

Polarity of bonds arises due to the difference in electronegativity of the atoms forming the bond. So greater the difference in electronegativity of the atoms, higher would be the polarity of the said bond. When same or similar atoms form a bond, the polarity difference is minimal, and therefore the bond is non-polar in such case.

H2 : non-polar, same atoms forming bond.

H2O : polar covalent bond, huge difference in electronegativity of H and O

Cl2 : non-polar, same atoms forming the bond

HCl : polar covalent bond, large difference in electronegativity between H and Cl

CO2 : non-polar, due to geometry. It is linear in shape, so polarity due to one C=O bond is cancelled by the polarity due to other C=O bond.