Final answer:
In a ClF molecule, the chlorine (Cl) atom has a partial positive charge (δ+) because the more electronegative fluorine (F) atom attracts the bonding electrons more strongly, giving it a partial negative charge and making ClF a polar covalent bond and a dipole.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the molecule ClF, the atom that would have a partial positive charge (δ+) is the chlorine atom (Cl).
This is because fluorine (F) has a higher electronegativity than chlorine, meaning it more strongly attracts the bonding pair of electrons.
Due to this electron affinity, the electrons in the Cl-F bond will spend more time closer to the fluorine atom.
Consequently, the fluorine side of the molecule takes on a partial negative charge, which is represented by δ-. Conversely, the chlorine side of the molecule will have a partial positive charge, denoted as δ+.
This creates a polar covalent bond where the molecule has two oppositely charged poles, much like a magnet, making the molecule a dipole.