Why is hcl covalent

The H-Cl bond will act as a dipole with a partial positive charge and a partial negative charge on the hydrogen atom and chlorine atom, respectively, in the HCl molecule. For that, we need to start with the basics of chemical bonding, i. As we all are aware that atoms of the modern periodic table do not exist freely in nature except for group 18 members.

Hence, they combine either with the same atom or with a different atom, leading to the formation of elements and compounds, respectively. This force of attraction between two same atoms or different atoms, which helps in bringing them together is known as a chemical bond.

An atom consists of subatomic particles i. Out of these three particles, only electrons participate in the formation of a bond. Now, a question arises that whether all electrons present in an atom participate in the bond formation?

No, all electrons do not participate in the bond formation. The only electrons, which are present in the outermost shell of the atom, contribute towards the bond formation. These electrons are known as Valence Electrons. The electrons, which are present in the inner shell of the atom, are known as Core Electrons and they do not participate in the bond formation.

Hence, a chemical bond is formed when there is sharing of electron density between two atoms. This sharing of electron density may be equal or unequal between atoms. There are two types of chemical bonds, which are present in the molecules i.

Ionic and Covalent Bonds. Ionic Bonds : The ionic bonds are formed by transferring electron s from one atom to another atom. There is an electrostatic force of attraction between cations and anions in an ionic bond. Covalent Bonds : The covalent bonds are formed by sharing of an electron pair s between two atoms.

The covalent bonds are further classified as single, double, and triple bonds depending on the number of electron pairs shared within two atoms. Obviously, we cannot answer this question by looking at atoms involved in bond formation. We require a quantitative parameter to differentiate the ionic and covalent bonds. That parameter is Electronegativity values. It is the property of an atom by which an atom attracts the shared electron pair towards it.

The electronegativity values of the atoms are taken from the Pauling scale. If the electronegativity difference between two atoms in a chemical bond is greater than 2. However, if this difference is less than 2.

The electronegativity difference of the H-Cl bond is only 0. However, hydrogen chloride is not a true covalent compound. Why is it so and what are true covalent compounds? A true covalent bond is formed when there is an equal sharing of the electron from each atom in the molecule such as homonuclear molecules i. However, the covalent character or we can say purity of covalency decreases when there are heteronuclear molecules. In heteronuclear molecules, atoms do not share electron s equally because of the difference in the electronegativity value.

Hence, HCl is not a true covalent compound as the chlorine atom will attract a shared pair of electrons towards itself owing to its higher electronegativity 3.

Or we can say that the H-Cl bond in the hydrogen chloride compound is a polar covalent bond. It means that the H-Cl bond act as a dipole with a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom and a partial negative charge on the chlorine atom.

It would be quite interesting if we can calculate the partial charge on the atom. So, let us calculate the partial charge on the hydrogen and chlorine atom in hydrogen chloride. The formula for measurement of charge is as follows:. The dipole moment of hydrogen chloride is 1.

If we substitute the values in the above equation, the partial charge on the hydrogen atom comes out to be 0. There will be equal but opposite charge on the chlorine atom i.

Hydrogen Chloride is a chemical compound with molecular formula as HCl. Hydrogen Chloride is composed of Hydrogen and Chlorine atoms.

The bonding in Hydrogen Chloride is covalent, but due to the high electro negativity tendency of Chlorine the bonding becomes polar covalent in nature. Hydrogen Chloride easily reacts with bases and other ionic compounds. In water, hydrogen Chloride gives its acid. The direct synthesis of Hydrogen Chloride can also be observed and Chlorine gas gets attached to Hydrogen atoms in the presence of heat to produce hydrogen chloride.

As it has been said, earlier that Hydrogen Chloride is composed of two diatomic atoms one is Hydrogen and the other is Chlorine. The Chlorine atom is much more electronegative than Hydrogen atom, that is why Hydrogen gains positive charge partially , and Chlorine atom gains negative charge partially.

Due to the difference in their values of electro negativity hydrogen and Chlorine forms a dipole an arrangement of pair of atoms having opposite charges. In addition, due to this Hydrogen Chloride develops a Polar covalent bond in it. Many reactions have shown that Hydrogen Chloride is polar in nature because the Hydrogen and Chlorine atoms get easily separated when mixed in solution having dipoles.

HCl can be directly prepared in industrial processes and this HCl is mainly used for the production of HCl acid and it is done by the direct combination of Chlorine gas and Hydrogen gas under some specific conditions. As HCl is also used in some small industrial purposes as a reagent and also in purification.

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