Do the atoms in HF have an electric charge? Why or why not?
Understand the Problem
The question asks whether the atoms in a hydrogen fluoride (HF) molecule possess an electric charge and expects an explanation for the presence or absence of such a charge. This involves understanding electronegativity and bond polarity.
Answer
The atoms in HF have partial charges; Fluorine is slightly negative (δ-) and hydrogen is slightly positive (δ+). This is due to the unequal sharing of electrons.
The atoms in Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) do not have a full electric charge. Instead, they have partial charges due to unequal sharing of electrons in the polar covalent bond. Fluorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, so it attracts electrons more strongly, becoming slightly negative (δ-) and leaving hydrogen slightly positive (δ+).
Answer for screen readers
The atoms in Hydrogen Fluoride (HF) do not have a full electric charge. Instead, they have partial charges due to unequal sharing of electrons in the polar covalent bond. Fluorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, so it attracts electrons more strongly, becoming slightly negative (δ-) and leaving hydrogen slightly positive (δ+).
More Information
Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a chemical bond. The greater the difference in electronegativity between two atoms, the more polar the bond will be.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming atoms in polar molecules gain or lose electrons completely to form ions, resulting in full charges. In reality, it's an unequal sharing.
Sources
- Hydrogen Fluoride: Uses, Formula & Quiz - study.com
- 3.7: Electronegativity and the Polar Covalent Bond - chem.libretexts.org
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
