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A good clue is to look at the symmetry of the molecular geometry. Molecules that are not symmetric are polar.
In a bond, the more electronegative atom attracts a bigger share of the shared electrons than the other. This separation of charge results in a bond dipole. When all the bond dipoles of a molecule are added, the net dipole is called the permanent dipole moment. When the bond dipoles cancel, the molecule's dipole moment is zero and the molecule is called nonpolar. If the bond dipoles do not cancel, the molecule is polar.
Lone pairs contribute to the polarity of a molecule. Since there is no positive nucleus to offset the negative charge of the lone pair, the end with the lone pair will always have a higher partial negative charge than any atom.
The key to determining whether or not dipoles cancel is to consider their direction as well as their magnitude. The direction is determined by the molecular geometry. The Lewis structure does not represent the molecular geometry.
Wiki User
∙ 14y ago
Wiki User
∙ 11y agoWhen the atoms have an unequal sharing of the electrons.
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What does nonpolar substance mean?
A non-polar molecule is a molecule that is symmetrical in the sense that the atoms on the outside pull equally on the central atom, thus not causing any differences in electronegativity.
Is AlH4- polar or non polar?
GeH4 is tetrahedral- (same as methane) - any polarity in the Ge-H bonds cancels each other out - do the molecule is non-polar.
Why is it important to know the shape of the molecule or ion?
It can help identify whether or not the molecule or ion is polar as well as identify if there are any "ends" of the molecule which can be more easily involved in a reaction.
Is H plus N polar or non-polar?
It isn't ionic, the H and N are bonded by strong hydrogen bonds, a type of intermolecular force.
Two atoms linked together is called?
Any number of atoms joined together by means of chemical bonds is called a molecule. The number of atoms in a particular molecule varies.
Is benzil a polar molecule?
It might be tempting to think Benzil is a polar molecule because of the C=O bonds, but the high level of symmetry in the molecule cancels out any overall dipole and leaves the molecule non-polar.
Why would a molecule be non polar even if its bond are all polar?
If the structure of the molecule is compact and symmetrical there may not be any discernible polarity.
Is hexane polar or non polar?
Hexane is nonpolar. It consists of carbon and hydrogen atoms bonded together in a linear structure, resulting in a symmetrical distribution of electron density and no permanent dipole moment.
BeBr2 polar or nonpolar?
If you draw out the Lewis structure of AsBr3, you'll realize that it has one lone electron pair on top of the central atom (As), which contains a greater electronegativity than any bonding pairs. Because of the electronegativity of the lone pairs, the bonding pairs are pushed hardly together, making the molecule asymmetrical or POLAR. When none of the net dipole moments of all individual bonds cancel out; the molecule turns out being POLAR. If all of them are canceled out, then you have a NON-POLAR molecule. Hope this is helpful!
Is non polar?
A non-polar molecule is a molecule that is symmetrical in the sense that the atoms on the outside pull equally on the central atom, thus not causing any differences in electronegativity.
What does nonpolar substance mean?
A non-polar molecule is a molecule that is symmetrical in the sense that the atoms on the outside pull equally on the central atom, thus not causing any differences in electronegativity.
Can a polar covalent compound act non polar?
NO
Can a molecule be polar with no polar covalent bonds?
No, not necessarily. It all depends on the symmetry of the molecule. Take a look at Carbon dioxide. It has a linear shape like this : O=C=O Although the bonds are obviously polar, the molecule is symmetrical. This makes the polarities of the bonds "cancel" each other, so to speak. So overall, this molecule is non-polar. If you take a look at Hydrogen chloride, on the other hand, it has a shape like this: H-Cl The molecule is assymmetrical, so this is a polar molecule.
Is a nitrogen molecule nonpolar or polar?
Nitrogen gas (N2) is completely non-polar.See the Related Questions for how to determine the polarity of any molecule!
Is sodium acetate polar molecule?
Yes.See the Related Questions link to the left for more information about how to determine if any molecule is polar or not.
What is a nonpolar organic molecule?
It is a molecule that is made up of hydrocarbon chains that have no net overall dipole moment. This molecule is immiscible with any polar substances. It hence establishes a phase of its own on top of the polar medium. P.Dee.
Can polar molecules have non polar bonds and still be polar?
I can't see how.Note that the opposite is a different story: it is possible for a molecule to be nonpolar despite having no bonds that are not polar. For example, consider CCl4, which is nonpolar due to its geometry despite the individual C-Cl bonds each having a substantial polarity.
