Multiple Choice
Which one of the following molecules is polar?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following molecules is nonpolar?
A
SO_2
B
H_2O
C
NH_3
D
CO_2
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular geometry of each molecule using the VSEPR (Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion) theory. This involves determining the number of bonding pairs and lone pairs around the central atom.
Determine the shape of each molecule: SO_2 has a bent shape due to lone pairs, H_2O is bent because of two lone pairs on oxygen, NH_3 is trigonal pyramidal due to one lone pair on nitrogen, and CO_2 is linear with no lone pairs on the central carbon.
Analyze the polarity of each molecule by considering the electronegativity differences between atoms and the symmetry of the molecule. Polar bonds can cancel out if the molecule is symmetrical.
For SO_2, H_2O, and NH_3, the molecular shapes are asymmetrical, so their dipole moments do not cancel, making them polar molecules.
For CO_2, the molecule is linear and symmetrical, so the dipole moments of the two C=O bonds cancel each other out, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
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