Answer: A Higher electronegativity difference leads to more polar covalent bonds.

Wed, 06 May 2026 04:53:56 +0000

Why Higher Electronegativity Difference Leads to More Polar Covalent Bonds
Understanding the Relationship in Covalent Bonding When exploring the behavior of atoms in molecular bonds, one key concept is electronegativity—a measure of an atom’s ability to attract shared electrons. A fundamental principle in chemistry is that the greater the electronegativity difference between two bonded atoms, the more polar a covalent bond becomes. This article breaks down why this happens, how electronegativity influences bond polarity, and what it means for molecular structure and reactivity. ### What Is Electronegativity? Electronegativity is a periodic trend that indicates how strongly an atom pulls electron density toward itself in a chemical bond. Elements like fluorine (F) and oxygen (O) are among the most electronegative, while elements like cesium (Cs) and francium (Fr) are very low. When two atoms form a covalent bond, they share electrons, but not necessarily equally—especially when their electronegativities differ.