Question

What can be said about the polarity of the C=O bond? A) C and O have the same electronegativity; the bond is nonpolar B) the C=O bond is polar; the O atom bears a partial negative charge C) the C=O bond is nonpolar; the C atom bears a partial positive charge D) the C=O bond is polar; the C atom bears a partial negative charge

Answer 1

The correct answer is B) the C=O bond is polar; the O atom bears a partial negative charge.

Step-by-step explanation:

In a C=O bond, the oxygen (O) atom is more electronegative than the carbon (C) atom. Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons towards itself in a chemical bond. Oxygen has a higher electronegativity than carbon, so it pulls the shared electrons in the C=O bond closer to itself.

As a result, the oxygen atom gains a partial negative charge (δ-) because it has a higher electron density around it, while the carbon atom gains a partial positive charge (δ+) because it has less electron density around it.

This uneven distribution of electron density in the C=O bond leads to polarity, making the bond polar. The oxygen atom, being more electronegative, attracts the shared electrons more strongly, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge on the carbon atom.

In summary, the C=O bond is polar, and the oxygen atom bears a partial negative charge (δ-).