Why is H2O a polar bond?

1 Answer
Chiara G.
Nov 21, 2015

The #Delta#Electronegetivity of H2O is 1.4

Explanation:

To answer this question, you need to look at the electronegativity of the atoms.

What you need to know about the electronegativity is the following:
If #Delta#Electronegetivity >2: The bond is ionic, this means that the molecule is fully charged.

If #Delta#Electronegetivity between 0,4 and 2: The bond is polar covalent, this means the molecule is partially charged.

If #Delta#Electronegetivity <0,4: The bond is nonpolar covalent, this means that the molecule is electronically symmetrical (no charge).

The chart in which you can find the electronegativity of the elements is:
enter image source here

The final group doesn't have electronegativity, therefore it isn't shown in the chart.

Using this information you can calculate the #Delta#Electronegetivity of H2O by subtracting the highest value of the lowest value:
#3.5 - 2.1 = 1.4#

This means that H2O is a polar covalent.

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