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Classify a bond between Carbon (EN = 2.6) and Oxygen (EN = 3.4).

A.Covalent
B. lonic
C.polar covalent
D.metallic bond

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The bond between Carbon and Oxygen with respective electronegativity values of 2.6 and 3.4 is a c) polar covalent bond due to the electronegativity difference of 0.8.

Step-by-step explanation:

The bond between Carbon (EN = 2.6) and Oxygen (EN = 3.4) is classified as a polar covalent bond. This is determined by calculating the difference in electronegativities, which is 3.4 - 2.6 = 0.8. According to conventions, a nonpolar covalent bond has an electronegativity difference of less than 0.5, a polar covalent bond has an electronegativity difference between 0.5 to 1.9, and an ionic bond has an electronegativity difference of more than 1.9. The fact that the Carbon and Oxygen atoms have an electronegativity difference of less than 1.9 but greater than 0.5, confirms that the bond is polar covalent, meaning the electrons are shared unequally and the bonding electron pairs are more strongly attracted towards the more electronegative atom, which in this case is Oxygen.

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