Question

The following electrostatic potential diagrams represent H₂, HCl, or NaCl. Label each, and explain your choices.

(a)

(b)

(c)

Short answer

Answer :

(a)HCl

(b)H₂

(c)NaCl

Step-by-step solution

Explaining (a) part how it is HCl

In figure (a) electron cloud is polarizedbecause there is a difference in electronegativitybetween H and Cl in which Cl more electronegative due to which it has more electron density and H is less electronegative due to which it has fewer electrons i.e. electrons are unequally shared between atoms.

Explaining (b) how it is H2

In figure (b) the electrons are equally sharedbetween atoms becausethere is no electronegativity differencebetween atoms.

Explaining (c) how it is NaCl

In figure (c) thetwo oppositely charged speciesare bonded by electrostatic interactionand there is alarge difference between electronegativity.