Q:
What is a polar substance?
A:
Quick Answer
A substance comprised of molecules that contain unbalanced localized charges (dipoles) is a polar substance. Polar substances tend to interact with other polar substances and rarely react to a significant degree with nonpolar substances.
Continue ReadingFull Answer
When two atoms form a covalent bond, they each share an electron. Different atoms have different abilities to attract electrons quantified by their electronegativity values. When one atom in a covalent bond has a much higher electronegativity than the other, the electron is found closer to that atom than the weaker one. This creates a dipole effect with a slight negative charge at the atom the electron favors and a slight positive charge at the other.
Learn more about ChemistrySources:
Related Questions
-
Q:
What is a permanent dipole?
A: According to Pearson Higher Education, polar molecules are generally considered permanent dipoles. A polar molecule is present is one end of the molecule h... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
What are the charges of the noble gases?
A: The noble gases have neutral charges. Because these elements have full outer electron shells, they are resistant to bonding with other elements. Scientists... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Why are ionic compounds electrically neutral?
A: Ionic compounds are electrically neutral because the charges of the cations and anions that make up the compound cancel each other out. In the case of salt... Full Answer >Filed Under: -
Q:
Is H2O polar?
A: H2O, commonly known as water, is polar because it consists of areas of partial negative and partial positive charges. The different areas of positive and n... Full Answer >Filed Under:
