Which statement best describes polar covalent bonding?

• A. The pair of bonding electrons is shared equally
• B. The bond is formed by transfer of electrons
• C. The pair of bonding electrons is unequally shared, creating partial charges
• D. The bond is extremely strong with metallic character

Answer: (C)

Polar covalent bonding happens when two atoms pull on the shared electrons with different strengths because their electronegativities differ. The electrons spend more time around the more electronegative atom, giving that atom a partial negative charge and the other atom a partial positive charge. This unequal sharing creates a dipole moment, which is the hallmark of polar covalent bonds. This makes the statement describing unequal sharing with partial charges the best description. In contrast, equal sharing describes nonpolar covalent bonds, transferring electrons describes ionic bonds, and metallic character points to a different type of bonding entirely.