Electronegativity – Exit Slip Responses
Chemistry 11
1. Which bond is more polar: a phosphorus – chlorine bond or a phosphorus – fluorine bond? Explain why.
A phosphorus – fluorine bond is more polar due to its greater difference in electronegativities.
2. Consider a carbon – fluorine bond. One atom in the bond is “partially negative” and the other atom is “partially
positive”. Which atom is which? Explain how you know.
The fluorine atom will be partially negative due to its higher electronegativity. The fluorine will draw the negatively
charged electrons to itself creating the partial negative charge. The carbon will be partially negative due to the
electrons being drawn away from it.
3. In your own words explain what you think the term “partially negative” means and explain why an atom might
be partially negative when it bonds covalently.
The atom with the greater electronegativity will be partially negatively charged as it draws the electrons to itself.
Electrons are negatively charged therefore creating a partial negatively charges atom.
The overall compound is neutral, however!
4. In your own words explain what you think the term “partially positive” means and explain why an atom might be
partially positive when it bonds covalently.
The atom with the lower electronegativity will be partially positively charged as the electrons are drawn away from
it. Electrons are negatively charged therefore creating a partial negatively charges atom.
The overall compound is neutral, however!