What is the difference between Covalent and Polar Covalent?

Before I explain the major differences between covalent and polar covalent bond, it is important to know that the polar covalent bond is just a type of covalent bond. A covalent bond refers to a chemical bond in which two atoms share the valence electrons in their outer energy levels so they can attain the noble gas structure. This type of chemical bond is formed between two or more atoms having zero or very small electronegativity difference.

On the other hand, a polar covalent can be referred to as a type of covalent bond, which is characterized by an unequal distribution of the electrons forming the bond. Unlike in a covalent bond where electrons are equally shared, the electrons forming a polar covalent are not equally shared between the atoms coming together. As a result, polar covalent bonds are formed between atoms having an electronegativity difference starting from 0.4 to 1.7.

When two atoms with similar or meager electronegativity difference, react together, they form a covalent bond by sharing electrons. Both atoms may obtain the noble gas electronic configuration by sharing electrons in this way. A molecule is a consequence resulted from the creation of covalent bonds between atoms. For example, when the same atoms merge to develop molecules, each atom is bonded to another by a covalent bond.

Polar covalent bonds, on the other hand, is dependent on the amount of electronegativity difference. The covalent character can be changed. This level of difference may be higher or lower. Therefore, the bonded electron pair is pulled more by one atom compared to the other atom, which is participating in making the bond. This bond will result in an unequal allocation of electrons between two atoms.