Question

Give two differences between the covalent compounds – methane (non-polar) and HCl (polar)

Answer 1

Non-polar covalent compound(Methane,CH₄)

1. Covalent compounds are said to be non-polar when shared pair of electrons are equally distributed between the two atoms.

2. No charge separation takes place.The covalent molecule is symmetrical and electrically neutral.

Polar covalent compound (HCl)

1. Covalent compounds are said to be polar when shared pair of electrons are unequally distributed between the two atoms.

2. Charge separation takes place.The atom which attracts electrons more strongly develops a slight negative charge while the other develops a slight positive charge.