how can you arrange these bonds from most polar to least polar

O-C
N-N
N-O

Look up the electronegativity of each atom, subtract the smaller from the larger, then arrange from high to low value to give most polar to least polar. NN should be the smallest (at zero). CO should be the most polar and NO should be in the middle. Check me out.

To determine the polarity of a bond, you need to consider the electronegativity difference between the two bonded atoms. Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's tendency to attract electrons towards itself. The greater the electronegativity difference, the more polar the bond.

Now let's look at the electronegativity values of the atoms involved:

Oxygen (O) has an electronegativity value of 3.44.
Carbon (C) has an electronegativity value of 2.55.
Nitrogen (N) has an electronegativity value of 3.04.

To determine the polarities of the bonds, you need to calculate the electronegativity difference for each pair of atoms.

1. O-C:
The electronegativity difference is 3.44 - 2.55 = 0.89.

2. N-N:
Both nitrogen atoms have the same electronegativity, so the electronegativity difference is 0.

3. N-O:
The electronegativity difference is 3.44 - 3.04 = 0.40.

Now, let's arrange the bonds from most polar to least polar based on the electronegativity differences:

1. O-C (0.89): This bond has the highest electronegativity difference, making it the most polar.

2. N-O (0.40): This bond has an intermediate electronegativity difference compared to the other two.

3. N-N (0): Since both nitrogen atoms have the same electronegativity, this bond is nonpolar.

So, the arrangement from most polar to least polar is O-C > N-O > N-N.