key term - Polar covalent bond

Definition

A polar covalent bond is a type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons, but they do so unequally due to differences in their electronegativity. This inequality in electron sharing leads to a partial positive charge on one atom and a partial negative charge on the other.

Related terms

Electronegativity:

The measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons when it is part of a compound.

Nonpolar Covalent Bond: A type of chemical bond where two atoms share a pair of electrons equally because they have similar or identical electronegativity.

Dipole Moment:

A measure of the separation of positive and negative electrical charges within a molecule, indicating the polarity of a chemical bond