How does polarity relate to electronegativity?

Question

Noah Aldrich · Accepted Answer

The ability of an atom to draw electrons for bonding is known as its electronegativity.

The oxygen atom with the higher electronegativity receives the larger share of the electron pair when two atoms (hydrogen and oxygen) form a covalent bond.

A polar bond is formed as a result, with a partially positive charge at the hydrogen and a partially negative charge at the oxygen.

Now the molecule (#H_2O#) will have a partially positive charge on the hydrogen atoms and a partially negative charge on the oxygen creating a polar molecule.

Note: The non-bonding electron pairs on oxygen contribute to its negative charge in addition to its electronegativity.

Luna Chen · Answer

undefined Polarity in a molecule is determined by the distribution of electrons within the bonds. Electronegativity, on the other hand, is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. The greater the difference in electronegativity between atoms in a bond, the more polar the bond will be. Therefore, polarity and electronegativity are closely related, as electronegativity differences between atoms in a molecule contribute to the molecule's overall polarity.