How is bond length defined?

Bond length is defined as the distance between the nuclei of two bonded atoms. This measurement indicates how far apart the centers of the atoms are when they are bonded together. Bond lengths vary based on factors such as the types of atoms involved and the nature of the bond (single, double, or triple).

Understanding bond lengths is critical because they can influence the chemical and physical properties of a substance, including stability, reactivity, and molecular geometry. In contrast, the other choices focus on different concepts: bond energy relates to the strength required to break a bond, hybridization pertains to the mixing of atomic orbitals, and polarity involves the distribution of electrical charge across a bond rather than the distance between the atoms. Thus, the definition of bond length specifically refers to the separation between atomic nuclei in a bond.