Equal electronegativities and covalent bond formation

  • Thread starter Thread starter sp3sp2sp
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bond Formation
Click For Summary
SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the misconception regarding the formation of polar covalent bonds between atoms with equal electronegativities. It is established that when two atoms are equally electronegative, they form nonpolar covalent bonds, not polar covalent bonds. The confusion arises from the term "polar," which indicates a difference in electronegativity. Additionally, the presence of counterexamples, such as the ionic modification of boron (Gamma-boron), illustrates that interactions can vary in more complex systems.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of electronegativity and its role in bond formation
  • Knowledge of covalent and ionic bonding principles
  • Familiarity with molecular structures and lattice arrangements
  • Basic chemistry concepts related to atomic interactions
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the differences between polar and nonpolar covalent bonds
  • Research the concept of electronegativity in detail
  • Explore examples of ionic and covalent bonding in complex molecules
  • Investigate the properties of Gamma-boron and its structural implications
USEFUL FOR

Chemistry students, educators, and anyone interested in understanding atomic interactions and bond formation principles.

sp3sp2sp
Messages
100
Reaction score
4

Homework Statement


True or false: When two atoms are equally electronegative, they will interact to form polar covalent bonds.

Homework Equations


Atoms with similar or equal electronegativities share electrons between them and are connected by covalent bonds.
Atoms with large differences in electronegativity transfer electrons to form ions. The ions then are attracted to each other, = an ionic bond.

The Attempt at a Solution


I answered true and it was marked wrong. Not understanding why though. The only thing I can think of is maybe the question is asking if two atoms of equal electronegativity will necessarily form covalent bond. Other than that, I thought it should be true. Not sure what I did wrong. thanks
 
Physics news on Phys.org
this is stupid. I just noticed it says "polar" covalent. That must be the problem!
 
sp3sp2sp said:
this is stupid. I just noticed it says "polar" covalent. That must be the problem!
Yes, it is the qualifier "polar" that makes the statement false.
 
Just wanted to note that, while this statement is probably true for the interaction of only two atoms, there are counterexamples when more than two are involved.
For example, there exists a partially ionic modification of boron (Gamma-boron) consisting of B2+ and B12- clusters arranged in a NaCl type lattice.
 
Isn't that simply because the electronegativities of the pseudoatoms B2+ and B12- are not the same though, at some level?
 

Similar threads

Chemistry How do we know ##BF_3## has Lewis structure but ##Al_2S_3## does not?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Electronegativity / predicting structure / ranking order
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
5K
Can Covalent Bonds form between atoms with no electrons?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
Non polar molecule with polar bonds?
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
Is Xenon Considered a Crystalline Solid?
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
4K
Which Electronegativity Pairing is More Electronegative?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
2K
Maximum Covalent Bonds Formed by Carbon with Nitrogen?
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
3K
Why Does BeF2 Have Covalent Bonds Despite Being an Ionic Compound?
  • · Replies 5 ·
Replies
5
Views
26K
Chemistry Determining the positive and negative poles of a molecule
  • · Replies 6 ·
Replies
6
Views
5K
Stability of Sulfides: Lewis Acid-Base Covalent Bonding
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K