Question

Using the Pauling electronegativity scale, which is the least polar of the following bonds?

1) H-F
2) H-Cl
3) H-Br
4) H-I

Answer 1

The least polar bond among H-F, H-Cl, H-Br, and H-I is the H-I bond because it has the smallest difference in electronegativity values according to the Pauling scale.

Step-by-step explanation:

The Pauling Electronegativity Scale helps us determine the polarity of a bond by indicating how much one atom in a molecule attracts electrons compared to another. In the given question, we need to identify the least polar bond among H-F, H-Cl, H-Br, and H-I. As per the Pauling scale, the electronegativity of hydrogen is approximately 2.1 and the values for fluorine, chlorine, bromine, and iodine are 3.98, 3.16, 2.96, and 2.66, respectively. Since the difference in electronegativity between two atoms in a bond dictates the bond's polarity, a smaller difference means a less polar bond. Therefore, among the given options, the bond between hydrogen and iodine (H-I) has the smallest difference in electronegativity and is thus the least polar bond.