Which statement below correctly describes the bonds between nitrogen and oxygen in nitrate ion (NO3-)?
explain
Nitrogen and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is polar covalent, with nitrogen pulling the electrons toward it.
b
Nitrogen and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is polar covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it.
c
Nitrogen and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is nonpolar covalent.
d
Nitrogen and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is ionic.
The correct statement would be:
b. Nitrogen and oxygen have an electronegativity difference of 0.5, so the bond is polar covalent, with oxygen pulling the electrons toward it.
In a nitrate ion (NO3-), the nitrogen atom and three oxygen atoms are connected through covalent bonds. Covalent bonds are formed when atoms share electrons. The difference in electronegativity between nitrogen and oxygen is 0.5, which indicates a somewhat polar covalent bond. In this case, the oxygen atoms have a higher electronegativity than nitrogen, so they attract the shared electrons more strongly. As a result, the electrons are pulled toward the oxygen atoms, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen atoms and a partial positive charge on the nitrogen atom.