Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of the molecule CH3Cl?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following best describes the polarity of the molecule SBr_2?
A
SBr_2 is a polar molecule due to its bent molecular geometry.
B
SBr_2 is nonpolar because sulfur and bromine have similar electronegativities.
C
SBr_2 is a nonpolar molecule because the bromine atoms cancel each other's dipole moments.
D
SBr_2 is polar only in the gas phase.
Verified step by step guidance1
Determine the Lewis structure of SBr_2 by counting the total valence electrons: sulfur has 6 valence electrons, and each bromine has 7, so total valence electrons = 6 + 2 \times 7 = 20.
Draw the skeletal structure with sulfur as the central atom bonded to two bromine atoms, then distribute the remaining electrons to satisfy the octet rule, placing lone pairs on sulfur and bromine atoms.
Identify the molecular geometry of SBr_2 using VSEPR theory: sulfur has two bonded atoms and two lone pairs, which corresponds to a bent (angular) shape.
Consider the electronegativity difference between sulfur and bromine; since bromine is slightly more electronegative, the S-Br bonds are polar, creating bond dipoles.
Because of the bent shape, the bond dipoles do not cancel out, resulting in a net dipole moment, which means SBr_2 is a polar molecule.
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