Which statement best explains how electronegativity values help us determine the polarity of a chemical bond?

• A. Electronegativity values do not affect the polarity of a bond.
• B. A bond is polar if the two atoms involved have significantly different electronegativity values.
• C. A bond is polar only if both atoms have identical electronegativity values.
• D. A bond is always nonpolar if both atoms have high electronegativity values.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand that electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond.
2. Recognize that when two atoms form a bond, the difference in their electronegativity values determines how the electrons are shared between them.
3. If the electronegativity difference is large, the electrons are pulled more toward the atom with higher electronegativity, creating a polar bond with partial positive and negative charges.
4. If the electronegativity difference is very small or zero, the electrons are shared equally or nearly equally, resulting in a nonpolar bond.
5. Therefore, the statement that best explains bond polarity is: 'A bond is polar if the two atoms involved have significantly different electronegativity values.'