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Topic: polarity  (Read 2123 times)

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Offline RichardNg

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polarity
« on: August 04, 2012, 09:07:09 AM »
Can I know how to determine the polarity of molecule, eg  HCl + H2O  :rarrow:H3O+  + Cl-. Why the hydrogen atom from the acid will be attracted to water? What is the meaning of electron sharing unequally?

Offline Specialk137

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Re: polarity
« Reply #1 on: August 05, 2012, 06:18:52 AM »
Electrons are shared unequally in covalent bonds due to the electronegativity of different atoms. These are called polar covalent bonds.
Because of this electronegativity, the electrons spend more time at one nucleus rather than the other, resulting in slightly negative and slightly positive charges to the atoms.

http://bioap.wikispaces.com/file/view/111_Electronegativity_Table.jpg/163806647/111_Electronegativity_Table.jpg

Electronegativity is determined by a number of factors such as valence electrons, or atomic weight.
By looking at the electronegativity table, the atoms with a higher electronegativity will attract the most electrons, making that atom slightly negative. Fluorine, Oxygen and Nitrogen are the most electronegative atoms due to their small size and their valence electrons.

I'm not sure about why a hydrogen atom from hydrochloric acid would be attracted to water, but that's some basic info about unequal electron sharing.

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