What is the electronegativity difference in H2?

H has an electronegativity of 2.2 and H has an electronegativity of 2.2, giving an EN difference of 0. This classifies the bond as nonpolar covalent.

Is Hydrogen Gas (H2) Ionic or Covalent?

Is Hydrogen Gas (H2) ionic or covalent?

H2 is a perfectly nonpolar covalent molecule. Two identical atoms share electrons with zero EN difference, creating a pure covalent bond.

Formula	H2
Name	Hydrogen Gas
Bond Type	Nonpolar Covalent
EN Values	H: 2.2, H: 2.2
EN Difference	0
Electron Behavior	Equal sharing
Melting Point	-259 C (extremely low)
Conductivity	Does not conduct electricity
Solubility	Nearly insoluble in water
Key Concept	Pure covalent bond between identical atoms

Hydrogen gas (H2) is the simplest molecule. Two hydrogen atoms share a pair of electrons in a single covalent bond.

Both atoms are hydrogen with EN 2.20. The difference is exactly 0.0 - this is a perfectly nonpolar bond.

Electrons are shared perfectly equally. Neither atom has any partial charge. This is a pure covalent bond.

Nonpolar diatomic molecules have extremely low melting/boiling points. H2 is a gas down to -253 C. It does not dissolve in water.

See electronegativity values, partial charges, and bond character on interactive 3D molecules.