The capacity that the connections have to attract electrical charges is defined as Polarity, which takes on a different character depending on the connection where it is present.
Regarding the ionic and covalent bond, which one would be polar or non-polar?
Ionic compounds are charged with electrical charges: cations and anions, which are called positive and negative poles respectively. These are represented by the signs δ+ and δ-. Ionic substances react with other compounds due to the presence of these poles that make the bond unstable. Example: the ionic bond of Chlorine and Sodium atoms gives rise to the compound sodium chloride (Na+Cl-), popularly known as table salt.
In short: Every ionic bond is a polar bond.
Covalent compounds are mostly classified as non-polar.
But remember: it doesn't mean that every covalent compound is non-polar. The poles are associated with electronegativity, if the covalent bond is between atoms of the same electronegativity, the bond will be non-polar, because there is no formation of poles.
Example: the covalent compound C3H8 (Propane) is non-polar, let's see why:
H H H
│ │ │
H C ─ C ─ C ─ H
│ │ │
H H H
Note that bonding occurs between equal elements, so they have the same electronegativity scale.
Do not stop now... There's more after the advertising ;)
By Líria Alves
Graduated in Chemistry
Brazil School Team
See more:
Don't forget about electronegativity
Know which elements are more electronegative
General chemistry - Chemistry - Brazil School
Would you like to reference this text in a school or academic work? Look:
SOUZA, Líria Alves de. "Polarity of ionic and covalent bonds"; Brazil School. Available in: https://brasilescola.uol.com.br/quimica/polaridade-das-ligacoes-ionica-covalente.htm. Accessed on June 27, 2021.
