Question

Consider the following chemical compounds. Which compound exhibits polar covalent bonds and why?

A. NaCl; ionic bond EN = 2.1
B. SO2; polar covalent EN = 1
C. CH4; non-polar covalent EN = 0.04
D. H2; polar covalent EN = 0

Answer 1

Compound B, SO2, exhibits polar covalent bonds due to the significant electronegativity difference between sulfur and oxygen.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the electronegativity differences between the atoms involved in the bonds, compound B, SO2, exhibits polar covalent bonds. The electronegativity of sulfur (EN = 2.5) is significantly higher than that of oxygen (EN = 3.44), resulting in a polar covalent bond. On the other hand, compounds A (NaCl) and C (CH4) have either ionic or nonpolar covalent bonds.