Question

The bond length in H-I (1.62 Å) is close to the sum of the atomic radii of H (0.37 Å) and I (1.33 Å). What does this fact indicate about the polarity of the bond?

Short answer

The bond is a polar covalent bond.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Covalent bonds in molecules are formed sharing of electrons between the two atoms. In these bonds, polarity arises when electro negativity difference or unequal sharing of electrons between the bonded atoms.If the difference in electronegativity is high, the bond is said to be more polar, while if the electronegativity difference is low, the bond is said to be less polar.Also, a more polar bond implies that the bonding between the atoms is stronger, and thus bond length is less.

On the other hand, a less polar bond also means that the bonding between atoms is not that stronger and has a larger bond length comparatively.

Explanation:

The bond length in H-I is 1.62 Å, close to the sum of the atomic radii of both the atoms, indicating that the bonding between H and I is strong, with shared pair of electrons shifted more towards I ( I being more electronegative). Thus the bond formed is a polar covalent bond.