In a polar covalent bond, which element is more likely to attract electrons?

In a polar covalent bond, the more electronegative element is more likely to attract electrons. Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to attract and hold onto electrons when it is involved in a chemical bond. The greater the electronegativity of an atom, the stronger its pull on the shared electrons in that bond.

In a polar covalent bond, there is an unequal sharing of electrons between two atoms involved in the bond. The atom with the higher electronegativity will draw the bonding electrons closer to itself, creating a partial negative charge at that end of the bond, while the other atom, having lower electronegativity, will have a partial positive charge. This distribution of electric charge leads to the polarization of the bond.

Understanding electronegativity is crucial in predicting how atoms will interact in a molecule. Therefore, recognizing that the more electronegative element will attract electrons effectively explains why that choice is the correct answer.