Which statement best describes the relationship between electronegativity and covalent bonding?

• A. Electronegativity has no effect on the polarity of covalent bonds.
• B. A large difference in electronegativity between two atoms leads to a more polar covalent bond.
• C. Covalent bonds only form between atoms with identical electronegativities.
• D. A small difference in electronegativity between two atoms results in an ionic bond.

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 in covalent bonds, electrons are shared between atoms, but the sharing can be equal or unequal depending on the difference in electronegativity.
3. Know that when two atoms have a large difference in electronegativity, the shared electrons are pulled closer to the more electronegative atom, creating a polar covalent bond with partial charges.
4. Realize that if the difference in electronegativity is very small or zero, the electrons are shared equally, resulting in a nonpolar covalent bond.
5. Remember that a very large difference in electronegativity typically leads to ionic bonding, not covalent bonding.