Molecules that are made up of two of the same nonmetal atoms, such as Br2, have nonpolar covalent bonds. Which statement best explains this property?
Molecules that are made up of two of the same nonmetal atoms have nonpolar covalent bonds because the electronegativity of the two atoms is equal. This means that neither atom has a stronger pull on the shared electrons, resulting in an equal sharing of the electrons and a symmetrical distribution of charge. Hence, there is no separation of positive and negative charges, leading to a nonpolar molecule.
a
No electrons are shared between the atoms.
b
The atoms have different numbers of valence electrons, so bonding electrons are shared unequally.
c
The atoms have the same electronegativity, so bonding electrons are shared equally.
d
One of the atoms transfers electrons to the other atom.
c
The atoms have the same electronegativity, so bonding electrons are shared equally.