Question

In the bond between si and br, si-br, which atom carries the partial positive charge?

Answer 1

In a polar covalent bond like Si-Br, the atom that attracts the electrons more strongly acquires the partial negative charge, while the other atom has a partial positive charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

When the atoms linked by a covalent bond are different, the bonding electrons are shared, but no longer equally. Instead, the bonding electrons are more attracted to one atom than the other, giving rise to a shift of electron density toward that atom. This unequal distribution of electrons is known as a polar covalent bond, characterized by a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other. The atom that attracts the electrons more strongly acquires the partial negative charge and vice versa. For example, in the H-Cl bond of a hydrogen chloride molecule, the chlorine atom carries a partial negative charge and the hydrogen atom has a partial positive charge.

Answer 2

This question only requires the use of relative electronegativities.

As a general rule as the metallic character of the element decreases the electronegativity of the element increases.


So, given that Si is a metalloid and Br is a non-metal element, you can expect that the electronegativity of Br is higher than the electronegativity of Si, andyou can check that in a table of electronegativities.

So, given that electronegativity is the trend to attract the electrons, in the bond Si - Br, the Br attracts the electrons with more strength than the
Si, and so Br carries a partial negative charge and Si carries a partial positive charge.

Answer: Si carries the partial positive charge, in the bond between Si and Br.