Consider an isolated N-C bond in an organic compound. Based on the electronegativities of the two elements, which of the following best describes the net charge on the carbon atom?

a. no polarization of the bond, i.e. no net charge
b. a full negative charge
c. a full positive charge
d. a partial negative charge
e. a partial positive charge

Respuesta :

Answer:

e. a partial positive charge

Explanation:

Based on the electronegativities of the two elements in an isolated N-C bond, the carbon atom will have a partial positive charge, which is described as option e.

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract electrons in a covalent bond. Nitrogen (N) has a higher electronegativity than carbon (C), meaning it has a greater ability to attract electrons towards itself. As a result, the electron density in the N-C bond is shifted towards the nitrogen atom, creating a partial negative charge on nitrogen and a partial positive charge on carbon.

This partial positive charge on the carbon atom is due to the unequal sharing of electrons in the bond. The greater electronegativity of nitrogen causes it to pull the shared electrons closer to itself, leaving the carbon atom with a partial positive charge.

It is important to note that this partial positive charge does not mean that the carbon atom has gained or lost an entire electron. It simply indicates a shift in electron density towards the nitrogen atom, resulting in a partial positive charge on carbon.

In summary, based on the electronegativities of the two elements in an isolated N-C bond, the carbon atom will have a partial positive charge (option e).

Final answer:

The isolated N-C bond in an organic compound will have a partial positive charge on the carbon atom due to the higher electronegativity of nitrogen, resulting in a polar bond with a dipole moment.

Explanation:

Based on the electronegativities of nitrogen (N) and carbon (C), the N-C bond in an organic compound will exhibit a polarization because nitrogen is more electronegative than carbon.

Therefore, nitrogen will attract the bonding electrons more strongly than carbon, resulting in an uneven distribution of electron density. The carbon atom will acquire a partial positive charge (d+), while the nitrogen atom will acquire a partial negative charge (d-).

This leads to the formation of a polar bond with a dipole moment pointing from carbon towards nitrogen. Given the choices provided, the best description for the net charge on the carbon atom within an isolated N-C bond would be option (e), which states that the carbon atom has a partial positive charge.

Keep in mind that while nitrogen's electronegativity leads to a polarization of the bond, it does not result in a full positive charge on the carbon atom, as that would require a completely ionic bond, which is not the case here.