A covalent bond in which electrons are shared unequally, producing partial charges, is called

• A. Nonpolar-Covalent Bond
• B. Ionic Bonding
• C. Polar-Covalent Bond
• D. Covalent Bonding

Answer: (C)

This question tests how electronegativity differences shape covalent bonds. When two atoms have different electronegativities, the shared electrons are drawn more toward the more electronegative atom, so the electrons aren’t shared equally. This creates a partial negative charge on the more electronegative atom and a partial positive charge on the other, giving the bond a dipole. That unequal sharing and the resulting partial charges define a polar covalent bond.

This differs from a nonpolar covalent bond, where electronegativities are similar and electrons are shared evenly, producing no significant partial charges. It also differs from ionic bonding, which involves a transfer of electrons and the formation of ions rather than shared electron density. For example, in HCl, chlorine pulls electron density toward itself, making Cl δ− and H δ+.