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 polar?
A
CO2
B
CCl4
C
H2O
D
BF3
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that molecular polarity depends on both the polarity of individual bonds and the geometry of the molecule, which affects the overall dipole moment.
Analyze CO2: It has two polar C=O bonds, but the molecule is linear, so the bond dipoles cancel out, making CO2 nonpolar.
Analyze CCl4: It has four polar C-Cl bonds arranged tetrahedrally, but the symmetrical shape causes the dipoles to cancel, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.
Analyze BF3: It has three polar B-F bonds arranged trigonal planar, but the symmetry causes the dipoles to cancel, so BF3 is nonpolar.
Analyze H2O: It has two polar O-H bonds and a bent molecular shape due to lone pairs on oxygen, which prevents dipole cancellation, making H2O a polar molecule.
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