What is the difference between a polar molecule and a non-polar molecule?

Answer 1

Polar molecules have one end that is more negative(it has the electrons more of the time) and one end that is positive(it has the electrons less of the time) In other words the electrons that are shared in the covalent bond are not shared evenly. Therefore, it can attract other things that are polar. Non polar molecules share evenly and do not have a partial charge so do not attract things that have charges.

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Answer 2

Polarity is measured on a scale of electronegativity (the electron disparity between two elements that are combined in a compound). The more electrons you take from your partner element in the bonding process, the greater your negative charge, and the greater your electronegativity.

There are three terms to describe the polarity of a given molecular bond:

Ionic

Polar covalent

Non-polar covalent

Ionic is the most polar - essentially, one atom physically takes electrons from another atom, creating a huge electron disparity between the two atoms. This tends to happen in molecules where one atom has very few valence electrons and the other has a lot of valence electrons. Sodium chloride (NaCl) is a good example of an ionic bond.

Polar covalent is the mid-range - technically closer to ionic. This happens when one atom attempts to take electrons from its partner, but cannot quite attract them all to itself. The result is a covalent bond between the two atoms where the valence electrons are "shared," but the sharing is unequal. One atom pulls the "shared" electrons a little closer to itself. Polar covalent bonds usually occur between very electronegative elements; hydrogen paired with elements like oxygen and fluorine almost always creates polar covalent bonds. A good example of a polar covalent bond is found in water (H2O).

Non-polar covalent is the least polar - in fact, it is not polar at all. This occurs when valence electrons are shared equally between two atoms. There is little or no tendency for either atom to pull any of the electrons toward itself. Non-polar covalent bonds can often be seen in molecules with two non-metals. Methane (CH4) is an example of a non-polar covalent bond.

Answer 3

Polar molecules have one end that is more negative(it has the electrons more of the time) and one end that is positive(it has the electrons less of the time) In other words the electrons that are shared in the covalent bond are not shared evenly. Therefore, it can attract other things that are polar. Non polar molecules share evenly and do not have a partial charge so do not attract things that have charges.

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Answer 4

A polar molecule has an uneven distribution of electron density, resulting in a separation of positive and negative charges (dipoles). Nonpolar molecules have a symmetrical distribution of electrons, causing no significant separation of charges. This distinction affects the molecule's interactions with other substances, such as their solubility in water.