Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of nitrogen trichloride (NCl_3)?
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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 I_2?
A
I_2 is a polar molecule because it has a bent molecular geometry.
B
I_2 is a polar molecule because it has a significant difference in electronegativity between the two iodine atoms.
C
I_2 is a nonpolar molecule because it consists of two identical atoms sharing electrons equally.
D
I_2 is a nonpolar molecule because it contains ionic bonds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the type of bond between the two iodine atoms in I_2. Since both atoms are identical, the bond is a covalent bond formed by sharing electrons equally.
Recall that polarity in a molecule arises from differences in electronegativity between bonded atoms and the molecular geometry. Since both atoms are iodine, their electronegativities are the same, so there is no bond polarity.
Consider the molecular geometry of I_2. It is a diatomic molecule, meaning it consists of only two atoms in a straight line, so there is no bent or asymmetrical shape to create a dipole moment.
Understand that because the electrons are shared equally and the molecule is linear, the dipole moments cancel out or do not exist, making the molecule nonpolar.
Eliminate the option about ionic bonds because I_2 is formed by covalent bonds, not ionic bonds, which involve transfer of electrons between atoms with very different electronegativities.
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