What is a polar covalent bond?

• A. A polar covalent bond forms when electrons are shared unequally between two atoms due to different electronegativities.
• B. A polar covalent bond is formed when electrons are transferred from one atom to another.
• C. A polar covalent bond involves sharing electrons equally.
• D. A polar covalent bond only occurs between hydrogen atoms.

Answer: (A)

A polar covalent bond happens when two atoms share electrons, but not equally. One atom has a stronger pull on the shared electrons because of a higher electronegativity, so the electrons spend more time near that atom. This creates a partial negative charge on the more electronegative atom and a partial positive charge on the other, giving the bond a dipole.

This is different from an ionic bond, where electrons are transferred from one atom to another, creating charged ions. It’s also different from a nonpolar covalent bond, where the electrons are shared evenly because the atoms have similar electronegativities. Polar covalent bonds can form between many different elements, not just hydrogen.