Name____________________________________________Date______________________Period__________

Section 6.1: Bond Character

A chemical bond between atoms of different elements is never completely ionic or covalent. The character of
the bond depends on how strongly each of the bonded atoms attracts electrons.

Electronegativity and Bond Character

Electronegativity Difference Bond Character

> 1.7 Ionic
0.3 - 1.7 Polar covalent
0 – 0.29 Nonpolar covalent

Electronegativity Periodic Table

Using your table of electronegativity values to determine what type of bond the two atoms will
form.

1. Cr and O 3.5 – 1.6 = 1.9  ionic

2. Sr and O 3.5 – 1.0 = 2.5  ionic

3. Cl and Br 3.0 – 2.8 = 0.2  nonpolar covalent

4. H and F 4.0 – 2.1 = 1.9  ionic

5. Na and S 2.5 – 0.9 = 1.6  polar covalent

6. Br and Br 2.8 – 2.8 = 0  nonpolar covalent

7. Al and F 4.0 – 1.5 = 2.5  ionic

8. Cu and Cl 3.0 – 1.9 = 1.1  polar covalent

Name____________________________________________Date______________________Period__________
6.1 Polarity & Electronegativity Worksheet

1. What does it mean to for a bond to be polar?

 The molecule has a slight charge due to an unequal sharing of electrons.

2. How are ionic bonds and covalent bonds different?

 Ionic bonds transfer the electrons while a covalent bond shares the electrons.

3. How does a polar covalent bond differ from a nonpolar covalent bond?
 A polar covalent bond is a covalent bond which the bonded atoms have an unequal
attraction for the shared electrons.
 A nonpolar covalent bond is a covalent bond which the bonding electrons are shared equally
by the bonded atoms, resulting in a balanced distribution of electrical charge.

4. How does electronegativity values help determine the type of bond created?
 By calculating the difference in the electronegativities you determine the ability of the atom
to attract electrons.

5. For each of the following molecules, determine if it is covalent, polar, or ionic. Show your work by listing the
electronegativities of each element in the bond.

Molecule Electronegativity Difference in Bond Type

Values Electronegativity
H – Cl H: 2.1 3.0 – 2.1 = 0.9 Polar covalent
Cl: 3.0
H–H H: 2.1 2.1 – 2.1 = 0 Nonpolar covalent
H: 2.1
H-I H: 2.1 2.5 – 2.1 = 0.4 Polar covalent
I: 2.5
Cl - Cl Cl: 3.0 3.0 – 3.0 = 0 Nonpolar covalent
Cl: 3.0
C–O C: 2.5 3.5 – 2.5 = 1.0 Polar covalent
O: 3.5
Ca – O Ca: 1.0 3.5 – 1.0 = 2.5 Ionic
O: 3.5
H– O H: 2.1 3.5 – 2.1 = 1.4 Polar covalent
O: 3.5
Al – Fe Al: 1.5 1.8 – 1.5 = 0.3 Polar covalent
Fe: 1.8

6. For each of the following sets of elements, identify the element expected to be most electronegative (EN) and
which is expected to be least electronegative (EN).

a. K, Sc, Ca most EN= Sc least EN= K

b. Br, F, At most EN= F least EN= At

c. C, O, N most EN= O least EN= C