Equal electronegativities and covalent bond formation

  • Thread starter Thread starter sp3sp2sp
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Bond Formation
AI Thread Summary
When two atoms have equal electronegativities, they form covalent bonds, but they do not create polar covalent bonds. The statement in question is false because it specifies "polar" covalent bonds, which require a difference in electronegativity. The discussion highlights that while the initial premise may hold true for two atoms, exceptions arise in more complex interactions. An example provided is Gamma-boron, where differing electronegativities in clusters lead to partial ionic characteristics. Thus, the key takeaway is that equal electronegativities do not guarantee polar covalent bond formation.
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?
 

Thread 'Prove that evolution is constant (Provide at least two arguments to support your position)'

I don't get how to argue it. i can prove: evolution is the ability to adapt, whether it's progression or regression from some point of view, so if evolution is not constant then animal generations couldn`t stay alive for a big amount of time because when climate is changing this generations die. but they dont. so evolution is constant. but its not an argument, right? how to fing arguments when i only prove it.. analytically, i guess it called that (this is indirectly related to biology, im...
View full post »

Similar threads

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

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top