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How does the density around a partial positive compare to the density of a partial negative ?

User StefanG
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Final answer:

The density of electrons around an atom with a partial positive charge is lower compared to an atom with a partial negative charge due to differences in electronegativity.

Step-by-step explanation:

The electron density around a partial positive charge compared to a partial negative charge is lower. This is because in a molecule, electrons are drawn towards the atom with higher electronegativity. For instance, in a hydrogen chloride (HCl) molecule, chlorine has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen, and thus, it pulls the bonding electrons closer to itself.

As a result, chlorine develops a partial negative charge (designated as δ−), and hydrogen develops a partial positive charge (designated as δ+).

The electron density is an indication of the probability of finding electrons in a particular area, meaning around chlorine, there is a higher electron density due to its partial negative charge, compared to the lower electron density around hydrogen which has a partial positive charge.

User MrVasilev
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