Chapter 2 - Small Molecules and the Chemistry of Life - 2.2 - Atoms Bond to Form Molecules - 2.2 Recap - Learning Outcomes - Page 33: 2

Electronegativity refers to the attractive force than a nucleus has on the electrons in an atom. The electronegativity depends on the number of protons in the atom and the distance the nucleus is from the outer valance shell. The variations in electronegativity spread throughout a molecule causes some molecules to be polar, where the electrons are not shared equally. Water is an example of a polar molecule because the oxygen is more partially negatively charged than the hydrogens.

Electronegativity refers to the attractive force than a nucleus has on the electrons in an atom. The electronegativity depends on the number of protons in the atom and the distance the nucleus is from the outer valance shell. The variations in electronegativity spread throughout a molecule causes some molecules to be polar, where the electrons are not shared equally.