Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the molecular polarity of SF_6?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following best describes the polarity of nickel(II) chloride (NiCl_2)?
A
NiCl_2 is a polar molecule due to the difference in electronegativity between Ni and Cl.
B
NiCl_2 is a nonpolar molecule because it has a linear geometry and identical atoms.
C
NiCl_2 is an ionic compound and does not have molecular polarity.
D
NiCl_2 is a polar molecule because it contains polar covalent bonds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the type of bonding in nickel(II) chloride (NiCl_2). Since Ni is a metal and Cl is a nonmetal, consider whether the compound is ionic or covalent based on their positions in the periodic table and typical bonding behavior.
Step 2: Recall that ionic compounds consist of metal cations and nonmetal anions held together by electrostatic forces, and they do not form discrete molecules with molecular polarity; instead, they form lattice structures.
Step 3: Understand that molecular polarity applies to covalent molecules where differences in electronegativity create dipoles within a molecule, and the molecular geometry determines the overall polarity.
Step 4: Recognize that NiCl_2, being an ionic compound, does not have a molecular geometry or molecular dipole moment in the way covalent molecules do, so describing it as polar or nonpolar molecule is not appropriate.
Step 5: Conclude that the best description is that NiCl_2 is an ionic compound and does not have molecular polarity, rather than being a polar or nonpolar molecule.
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