What is a polar molecule?
A polar molecule is a molecule that has a mostly positive charge on one side and a mostly negative charge on the other. This charge difference allows the positive end of the molecule to attract to the negative end of another. A hydrogen bond, a special attraction between some polar molecules, is another important characteristic. It is this bond that helps to make deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA)’s double helix possible. The hydrogen bond between the materials in DNA’s composition helps to keep the shape stable. Covalent bonds and ionic bonds are the two ways that two atoms can be joined in molecules. It is the covalent bond, however, that produces a polar molecule. Covalent bonds occur when one atom shares electrons with another. Sometimes, one atom will attract the electrons more than another. Should this happen, a polar molecule can result.
