Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules has polar bonds but is overall nonpolar?
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following statements correctly describes the polarity of the bonds and the overall polarity of the molecule water (H_2O)?
A
The O-H bonds are nonpolar, and the molecule is overall nonpolar.
B
The O-H bonds are polar, and the molecule is overall polar.
C
The O-H bonds are polar, but the molecule is overall nonpolar.
D
The O-H bonds are nonpolar, but the molecule is overall polar.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the electronegativity values of oxygen and hydrogen. Oxygen has a higher electronegativity than hydrogen, which means electrons in the O-H bonds are not shared equally.
Determine the polarity of the O-H bonds. Since oxygen is more electronegative, the electrons are pulled closer to oxygen, making each O-H bond polar with a partial negative charge on oxygen and a partial positive charge on hydrogen.
Examine the molecular geometry of water. Water has a bent shape due to the two lone pairs on oxygen, which affects the direction of the bond dipoles.
Analyze the vector sum of the bond dipoles. Because of the bent shape, the dipole moments of the two O-H bonds do not cancel out, resulting in a net dipole moment.
Conclude that the O-H bonds are polar and, due to the bent molecular shape, the water molecule is overall polar.
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