What is a characteristic of a polar covalent bond?

A polar covalent bond is defined by the unequal sharing of electrons between atoms. In this type of bond, one atom attracts the shared electrons more strongly than the other due to differences in electronegativity. This creates a dipole moment, where one side of the bond has a slight negative charge (where the electron density is greater) and the other side has a slight positive charge. This unequal distribution of charge is what characterizes polar covalent bonds, distinguishing them from nonpolar covalent bonds, where electrons are shared equally, or ionic bonds, where electrons are completely transferred.

This understanding emphasizes the significance of electron distribution in determining the properties of molecules and compounds, particularly in relation to their polarity.