Question

Nonpolar covalent bonds are not common because...?

- dipoles are rare in nature
- one atom usually attracts electrons more strongly than the other
- the electrons usually remain equally distant from both atoms
- ions always form when atoms join

Answer 1

Nonpolar covalent bonds are not common primarily because there is usually an electronegativity difference between atoms, causing one atom to attract electrons more than the other and leading to the formation of polar covalent or ionic bonds.

Step-by-step explanation:

Nonpolar covalent bonds are not common because one atom usually attracts electrons more strongly than the other. This imbalance in electron attraction is due to the differences in electronegativity between atoms. In a nonpolar covalent bond, the electrons are shared equally, which typically occurs between identical atoms or atoms that have very similar electronegativities. However, in most cases, atoms have different electronegativities, leading to polar covalent bonds where electrons are not shared equally. Furthermore, when the difference in electronegativity is very large, ionic bonds instead of covalent bonds tend to form, particularly between metals and nonmetals, leading to the creation of ions with stable electron configurations.