Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the molecular polarity of SO_2?
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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 CH2O (formaldehyde)?
A
CH2O is ionic.
B
CH2O is a polar molecule.
C
CH2O has no dipole moment.
D
CH2O is a nonpolar molecule.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Identify the molecular structure of CH2O (formaldehyde). It consists of a central carbon atom double bonded to oxygen and single bonded to two hydrogen atoms, forming a trigonal planar shape.
Step 2: Determine the electronegativity differences between the atoms. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen, which creates polar bonds, especially the C=O bond.
Step 3: Analyze the molecular geometry to see if the bond dipoles cancel out. Since the molecule is trigonal planar but the oxygen atom creates a strong dipole, the dipoles do not cancel.
Step 4: Conclude that because of the polar C=O bond and the asymmetrical shape, CH2O has a net dipole moment, making it a polar molecule.
Step 5: Understand that CH2O is not ionic because it consists of covalent bonds, and it is not nonpolar or without a dipole moment due to the reasons above.
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