nonpolarkovalenttinen

Nonpolarkovalenttinen is a term found in some Finnish-language chemistry discussions to denote nonpolar covalent bonding. It describes a type of chemical bond in which two atoms share electrons relatively equally, producing little or no permanent dipole moment in the bond itself and often in the whole molecule.

Definition and scope

Nonpolar covalent bonds form when bonded atoms have similar electronegativities, resulting in a small or negligible electronegativity difference. This places them at the low end of bond polarity, compared with polar covalent bonds (moderate polarity) and ionic bonds (electronic transfer). The term emphasizes the shared-electron character of the bond rather than any strong charge separation.

Properties

Molecules with predominantly nonpolar covalent bonds typically exhibit limited intermolecular attractions beyond London dispersion forces. They tend to be less soluble in water and more soluble in nonpolar solvents. In many cases, such compounds are gases or liquids at room temperature and may show minimal polarity in their overall structure if highly symmetric.

Examples

Common examples include diatomic molecules such as hydrogen (H2), nitrogen (N2), oxygen (O2), and chlorine (Cl2). Organic hydrocarbons like methane (CH4) and ethane (C2H6) are often described as nonpolar covalent overall, though individual bonds can have varying polar character. Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a notable case where polar bonds exist but the molecule’s linear symmetry yields a nonpolar overall character.

Relation to other bond types

Nonpolarkovalenttinen represents one end of the polarity spectrum. Polar covalent bonds involve unequal sharing of electrons, while ionic bonds involve electron transfer and electrostatic attraction. The concept helps explain molecular polarity, solubility, and intermolecular interactions in chemistry.