Question

Use electronegativity values to arrange the following bonds in order of decreasing polarity: N-O, N-N, N-P, and C-N.

Short answer

Polarity follows: N-P>C-N=N-O >N-N.

Step-by-step solution

Introduction

Electronegativity is the measure of an atom attracting the shared pair of electrons towards itself. If an atom is more electronegative, it is more likely to attract the shared pair of electrons than the less electronegative.

Explanation:

The differences in the electronegativities of the two atoms describe the polarity of the bond or a molecule. The one with the highest electronegativity difference will be the most ionic, and the one with the least electronegativity difference will be the least ionic.

Electronegativity of N= 3

Electronegativity of O=3.5

Electronegativity of P=2.1

Electronegativity of C=2.5

From the electronegativity values given above, we can find the electronegativity difference and thus the polar character of the molecule.

N-O= 0.5

N-N=0.0

N-P=0.9

C-N=0.5

So the polarity follows: N-P>C-N=N-O >N-N. i.e., N-P is the most polar while N-N is the least polar.