How is a polar molecule characterized?

A polar molecule is characterized by the unequal sharing of electrons between its constituent atoms. This occurs when there is a significant difference in electronegativity between the bonded atoms. Electronegativity is a measure of how strongly an atom attracts electrons in a bond. When one atom has a higher electronegativity than the other, it tends to pull the shared electrons closer to itself, leading to a partial negative charge on that atom and a partial positive charge on the other. This creates a dipole moment, making the overall molecule polar.

In a polar molecule, the asymmetrical distribution of charge due to the unequal sharing of electrons results in distinct regions of positive and negative charge. This property is critical in many chemical interactions, including solubility, reactivity, and intermolecular forces.