Which of the following best describes a polar covalent bond?

• A. A bond in which electrons are shared equally between two atoms with identical electronegativities.
• B. A bond that occurs only between metal atoms.
• C. A bond in which electrons are shared unequally between two atoms due to a difference in electronegativity.
• D. A bond formed by the complete transfer of electrons from one atom to another.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the concept of electronegativity, which is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.
2. Step 2: Recognize that in a polar covalent bond, electrons are shared between two atoms but not equally because the atoms have different electronegativities.
3. Step 3: Compare this to a nonpolar covalent bond, where electrons are shared equally due to identical or very similar electronegativities.
4. Step 4: Differentiate polar covalent bonds from ionic bonds, where electrons are completely transferred from one atom to another, resulting in charged ions.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best description of a polar covalent bond is one where electrons are shared unequally between two atoms due to a difference in electronegativity.