Module 2 Intro

Module 2—Chemical Compounds

Module Glossary

bond dipole: the charge separation that occurs when the electronegativity difference of two bonded atoms shifts the shared electrons, making one end of the bond partially positive and the other partially negative

central atom: the atom in a molecule that has the most bonding electrons and, therefore, is likely to form the most bonds

double bond: an attraction between atoms in a molecule due to the sharing of two pairs of electrons in a covalent bond

intermolecular force: the relatively weak forces of attraction and repulsion between molecules

intramolecular force: the relatively strong bonds or forces of attraction and repulsion within a molecule; typically covalent bonds

momentary dipole: an uneven distribution of electrons around a molecule, resulting in a temporary charge difference between its ends

nonpolar molecule: a molecule in which the negative (electron) charge is distributed symmetrically among the atoms making up the molecule

polar molecule: a molecule in which the negative charge is not distributed symmetrically among the atoms, resulting in partial positive and negative charges on opposite ends of the molecule

structural diagram: a visual representation of a chemical compound that shows the relative placement of every atom within the compound, in addition to all intramolecular bonds