Siyapath
Sign up

Lesson: Chapter 10 — Chemical Bonds

10.3. Polarity of bonds 4 of 8

Question 4

What does the symbol δ+ on a hydrogen atom represent?

The right answer is the one marked above.

A very small partial charge, much less than the charge on an ion. No electron has been transferred; the shared pair has merely been pulled off centre, leaving a slight imbalance.

A full +1 would mean an electron had been lost outright, making it an ion. Protons never move. And partial charges are a feature of polar covalent bonds, which is the opposite of an ionic compound.

Answer the question to continue.