Nonpolar Covalent Bonds

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Methane

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The molecule methane has four Carbon-Hydrogen single covalent bonds. These covalent bonds are called nonpolar covalent bonds because

• the electrons shared by the adjacent atoms in the bonds are shared equally
  

• The consequence of this equal sharing of electrons is that there is no charge separation (dipole moment). Compare this to polar covalent bonds.
  

• Since there is no charge separation in the covalent bonds this molecule cannot enter into a charge interaction with water and will therefore be hydrophobic.

Pentane

This molecule is another example of a compound that is composed of Hydrogen and Carbon and is therefore in the class of compounds known as hydrocarbons. The covalent bonds between adjacent atoms are nonpolar covalent bonds and this compound is therefore hydrophobic.

Return to covalent bonds

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