Question

Which of the following pairs of atoms would form a polar covalent bond?

Option 1: Cl - Cl
Option 2: Si - Ca
Option 3: Na - Br
Option 4: P - Cl

Answer 1

The pair of atoms that would form a polar covalent bond is P - Cl; chlorine is more electronegative than phosphorus, meaning the electrons would be more attracted to chlorine, creating a bond with a partial charge distribution.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks which pair of atoms would form a polar covalent bond. A polar covalent bond is a type of chemical bond where a pair of electrons is unequally shared between two atoms. The atoms in a polar covalent bond have different electronegativities, which causes a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other atom. Looking at the options given:

• Cl - Cl would form a nonpolar covalent bond because they are the same element and have the same electronegativity.
• Si - Ca is likely to form an ionic bond because they are a metal and a nonmetal.
• Na - Br is also likely to form an ionic bond for the same reason.
• P - Cl would form a polar covalent bond because phosphorus and chlorine have different electronegativities, with chlorine being more electronegative.

Therefore, the pair that would form a polar covalent bond is P - Cl (Option 4).