Chapter 9, Problem 9.55P

Interpretation Introduction

Interpretation:

The relation between the partial ionic character of a bond in a diatomic molecule and $\Delta \text{EN}$ for the bonded atoms is to be determined.

Concept introduction:

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract the shared electrons in the bond towards itself. The more electronegative atom will more attract the bonding electrons towards itself than the less electronegative atom. Therefore the electrons will spend more time with the more electronegative atom than an electropositive atom. The electronegative atom will acquire the partial negative charge and the electropositive atom will acquire a partial positive charge.

Here, B is the electronegative atom and A is the electropositive atom.