Question

bonding of atoms in reactions quick check
which statement best explains the difference between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds? (1 point)
○ polar covalent bonds share electrons unequally, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons equally.
○ polar covalent bonds give/take electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons.
○ polar covalent bonds share electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds give/take electrons.
○ polar covalent bonds share electrons equally, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons unequally.

Explanation:

Covalent bonds involve sharing electrons. In polar covalent bonds, due to differences in electronegativity between atoms, electrons are shared unequally. In non - polar covalent bonds, atoms have similar electronegativities, so electrons are shared equally. The option "Polar covalent bonds share electrons unequally, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons equally" correctly captures this difference. The other options are incorrect:

• "Polar covalent bonds give/take electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons" is wrong because covalent bonds (both polar and non - polar) involve sharing, not giving/taking (which is characteristic of ionic bonds).
• "Polar covalent bonds share electrons, while nonpolar covalent bonds give/take electrons" is incorrect for the same reason as above.
• "Polar covalent bonds share electrons equally, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons unequally" has the definitions reversed.

Answer:

Polar covalent bonds share electrons unequally, while nonpolar covalent bonds share electrons equally.