What is the nature of the P-O bond in phosphorus pentoxide (P2O5)?
A.) nonpolar covalent
B.) moderately polar covalent
C.) highly polar covalent
D.) ionic
E.) polar ionic

Respuesta :

The answer is B becusae the electronegativities are P: 2.2 and O: 3.4 meaning they have a difference of 1.2 which is polar 

Answer:

C.) highly polar covalent

Explanation:

The electronegativity value of P and O are 2.1 and 3.5 respectively, with O atom being more electronegative than P atom. The electronegativity difference in the P-O bond is 1.4.  

In polar covalent bonds the electronegativity difference between two atoms is between 0.5 and 2.0. In nonpolar bonds the electronegativity difference between the two atoms is less than 0.5. And in ionic bonds the electronegativity difference between the two atoms is greater than 2.0.