Question

Identify the more polar bond in each of the following pairs of bonds:

a. H-F or H-I
b. C-Cl or C-O
c. N-H or O-H
d. S-Br or S-F

Answer 1

The polarity of a bond is based on electronegativity differences. H-F, C-O, O-H, and S-F are more polar bonds compared to H-I, C-Cl, N-H, and S-Br respectively, because fluorine and oxygen are more electronegative than iodine, chlorine, and nitrogen.

Step-by-step explanation:

The polarity of a bond is determined by the difference in electronegativity (EN) between the two atoms involved. The greater the difference, the more polar the bond. Here are the comparisons for each pair:

• H-F vs. H-I: Fluorine has a higher EN than iodine, making the H-F bond more polar.
• C-Cl vs. C-O: Oxygen is more electronegative than chlorine, so the C-O bond is more polar.
• N-H vs. O-H: Oxygen is more electronegative than nitrogen, hence the O-H bond is more polar.
• S-Br vs. S-F: Fluorine is more electronegative than bromine, making the S-F bond more polar.