Which covalent bond is characterized by electrons being equally attracted to both bonded atoms?

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

Answer: (C)

When two atoms share electrons in a covalent bond, how the electrons are distributed depends on how strongly each atom attracts those electrons, which is described by electronegativity. If the two atoms have very similar electronegativities, the shared electron pair feels about the same pull from both nuclei, so the electrons are attracted equally to both bonded atoms. This equal sharing creates a nonpolar covalent bond, with no partial charges on either atom and a generally nonpolar molecule if the geometry doesn't introduce asymmetry.

In contrast, a polar covalent bond happens when one atom pulls the shared electrons more, leading to partial charges on the atoms. Ionic bonding involves transferring electrons rather than sharing, forming ions. Covalent bonding is the broad category that includes both equal and unequal sharing, but the description of electrons being equally attracted to both atoms specifically points to the nonpolar covalent case.