Electronegativity, bond polarity and molecular polarity
Polar bonds can cancel in a molecule; molecular geometry matters.
Key knowledge
Electronegativity describes an atom's tendency to attract bonding electron density. Unequal sharing can produce partial positive and negative regions in a covalent bond. A neutral molecule's permanent dipole depends on its whole charge distribution and geometry. In the bond-dipole model, the contributions combine as vectors: the two C–O contributions cancel in linear CO2, whereas the O–H contributions in bent water do not.
Conditions and scope
- Electronegativity trends are comparative guides, not an exact measurement of atomic partial charge or a universal ionic/covalent cutoff.
- The permanent-dipole statement is for neutral molecules; polarizability and instantaneous induced dipoles are different properties.
Sources · 3
References
Sources retain their recorded scope. A source link alone does not establish verification of every statement.
Paul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson · OpenStax/Rice University2 sources
- Chemistry 2e (2019), §7.2 Covalent bondingPaul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson · OpenStax/Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- Chemistry 2e (2019), §7.6 Molecular structure and polarityPaul Flowers, Klaus Theopold, Richard Langley and William R. Robinson · OpenStax/Rice UniversityTextbook chapter
- Physical Sciences 11: ElectronegativitySiyavulaTextbook chapter
Evidence and review
Unequal bonding electron density and geometry-dependent cancellation of permanent bond-dipole contributions.
2026-10-10 · Independent Mathematics and Information editor (AI editorial/source review; not the Chemistry/Biology/Earth author). The specified introductory inventory has no unresolved demonstrated material gap after the changes and body-based reuse. Existing advanced references retain their historical scoped approvals. English-only reference prose and explicit Lithuanian-translation-pending status are preserved.
Foundational review
2026-10-10 · Independent AI editorial inspection of this new compact reference entry, its equations, applicability, sources and knowledge connections.
Sources from other places
Agreement within this scope
Unequal bond sharing and geometry-dependent CO2/water polarity.
Polar bonds can cancel in a symmetric molecule.
Siyavula
- Physical Sciences 11: Electronegativity South AfricaEnglish
§3.3 Polar bonds and polar molecules, CO2 and water
- Physical Sciences 11: Electronegativity
Entry details
Permanent link to this entry ↗- Record identity
- foundation-chem-bond-molecular-polarity
- Revision
- foundations-audit.1
- Structured reference record
- Foundational core completion