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A molecule can be nonpolar even if it contains polar bonds if its overall molecular geometry is symmetrical. In such cases, the dipole moments of the polar bonds can cancel each other out, resulting in no net dipole moment for the molecule. For example, carbon dioxide (CO2) has polar C=O bonds, but its linear shape means the dipoles are equal and opposite, making the molecule nonpolar.

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Why would a molecule be non polar even if its bond are all polar?

A molecule can be nonpolar if the polar bonds within it cancel each other out due to symmetry. This can happen when the polar bonds are arranged symmetrically around the central atom, resulting in a balanced distribution of charge. As a result, the overall dipole moment of the molecule is zero, making it nonpolar despite individual polar bonds.


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.


How does a molecule that has polar bonds be nonpolar?

A molecule with polar bonds can be overall non-polar if the bond dipoles cancel each other out. For example the following all have polar bonds but the bond dipoles cancel each other out (vector addition) to make the molecule non-polar. Linear - CO2 trigonal planar - BF3 tetrahedral molecules, CF4 trigonal bipyramidal PF5 octahedral SF6


Why is carbon tetra chloride non polar while its bonds are polar?

Carbon tetrachloride is nonpolar because its polar bonds are distributed in space (at the corners of tetrahedron with the carbon atom at its center) in a manner such that the the polarities of the individual bonds cancel one another out at any substantial distance from the molecule.


Is scl4i2 a polar molecule?

No, SCl4I2 is a nonpolar molecule. Even though it contains polar bonds between sulfur and iodine, the overall molecular geometry of the molecule is symmetrical, resulting in a net dipole moment of zero.


Oil is a polar or non-polar molecule?

Oil is a non-polar molecule because it is made up of hydrocarbons, which have a relatively even distribution of electrons and do not have any significant polar bonds. This lack of polarity is what allows oil to repel water and other polar substances.


H3O plus is a polar or nonpolar molecule?

H2O is a polar molecule; +H3O is even more so.


Is pf3 polar or nonpolar?

PH3 is a non-polar covalent molecule. This is somehow confusing because, when you draw out the Lewis diagram, you will observe a lone pair on the P atom. However, if the electronegativity difference does not have a polar bond, then no matter what happens, it will always be non polar. In this case, the EN is 0.01, which indicates non polar. (Non polar EN is 0~0.4)To decide whether a molecule is polar or non-polar, first draw the Lewis diagram. Then calculate the electronegativity. If the electronegativity is non polar, then no matter it has lone pairs or it has more than one group around the central atom, it will always be non polar. In this case, PH3 is non polar because of it has a non polar bond indicated by the electronegativity even though it has lone pairs.But if the bond is polar, then you might have a chance to get a polar molecule depending on either of these 2 factors:1. If there are lone pairs2. If there are other groups around the central atomFor example, H2O is polar because:1.It has a polar bond for electronegativity2.It has lone pairs(Even if it doesn't have a other groups around the central atom, it's still polar because it's polar if you just satisfy either of the 2 conditions)If both conditions of the above are not met, then it's non polar even if it has a polar bond. Like CO2, a molecule has a polar bond, but fails to meet both of the conditions, is a non polar molecule.Always remember to check your electronegativity. Remember if a molecule only has non polar bonds, then it must be a non polar molecule no matter which condition is satisfied after (ex. lone pairs). If a molecule has polar bonds, then it may be a polar molecule depending on either of the 2 conditions listed.


How do you figure out if a molecule is polar or non-polar?

Find out what the molecules shape is. VSEPR (AXE theory) will help. Look up the electronegativity of the elements that are bonding. Draw the little charges delta +, delta -) the more electronegative element is slightly negatively charged. Then look to see if the "dipoles" on the bonds cancel each other out. If they do its non polar even if the individual bonds are polar. (e.g. CCl4) if they don't its polar, e.g. water.


How can a molecule be non polar and still contain polar bonds?

Some molecules have a symmetrical geometry that causes the polarity of the bonds to cancel each other out. A good example of this is carbon dioxide. A carbon-oxygen bond is polar, but carbon dioxide contains 2 identical carbon-oxygen bond at 180 degrees to one another. The two bonds with the polarities in opposite directions result in a net dipole moment of zero.


Can a compound be non-polar if it contains only 1 polar bond?

Not really. The closest thing would be molecules with long hydrocarbon chains such as decanal (C10H20O) with the C-O bond being polar. The carbon-hydrogen bonds are technically polar as well, but this polarity is very weak.


Is CCl2F2 polar or nonpolar?

Well, honey, CCl2F2, also known as CFC-12, is a polar molecule. The reason being is that even though the individual C-Cl and C-F bonds are polar due to differences in electronegativity, the overall molecular geometry of tetrahedral shape results in a net dipole moment, making it a polar molecule. Hope that clears things up for you, darling.