Question

Why are covalent bonds between hydrogen and nitrogen or oxygen polar? see section 2.1 ( page 57) ?

Answer 1

Polar molecules exhibit an unequal balance of charges between the individual elements of the compound. This is brought about by the large difference in their electronegativities. The H atom has the least amount of electronegativity. Then, it is a known periodic trend, that as you go downwards in a group, electronegativity decreases, and increase as you go from left to right. Thus, you can deduce that the most electronegative elements are found in the upper right corner which includes O, N and F atoms. Any bond created between Hydrogen and any of O, N and F atoms is a polar bond.