Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces

Molecular Polarity

General Chemistry

13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces

Molecular Polarity

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Multiple Choice

Which phrase best describes the molecular polarity and charge distribution in an HCl molecule?

The molecule is nonpolar, with a partial negative charge on the Cl atom.

The molecule is nonpolar, with an even charge distribution between H and Cl.

The molecule is polar, with a partial negative charge on the Cl atom and a partial positive charge on the H atom.

The molecule is polar, with a partial negative charge on the H atom and a partial positive charge on the Cl atom.

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Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: Understand the concept of molecular polarity. A molecule is polar if it has a significant difference in electronegativity between its atoms, causing an uneven distribution of electron density and resulting in partial charges.

Step 2: Identify the electronegativities of hydrogen (H) and chlorine (Cl). Chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it attracts electrons more strongly.

Step 3: Determine the direction of electron density shift. Since Cl is more electronegative, the shared electrons in the H–Cl bond will be pulled closer to Cl, creating a partial negative charge (δ-) on Cl and a partial positive charge (δ+) on H.

Step 4: Conclude the polarity of the molecule. Because of this uneven charge distribution, the HCl molecule is polar, with a dipole moment pointing from H (δ+) to Cl (δ-).

Step 5: Match this understanding to the correct phrase: The molecule is polar, with a partial negative charge on the Cl atom and a partial positive charge on the H atom.