Multiple Choice
Which of the following statements about molecular polarity is correct?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following substances would you expect to have a nonzero dipole moment?
A
O2
B
CCl4
C
CO
D
BF3
Verified step by step guidance1
Recall that a dipole moment arises in a molecule when there is an uneven distribution of electron density, typically due to differences in electronegativity between atoms and an asymmetrical molecular geometry.
Analyze each molecule's structure and symmetry: O2 is a diatomic molecule with identical atoms, so the electron distribution is symmetrical, resulting in a zero dipole moment.
CCl4 has a tetrahedral geometry with four identical C-Cl bonds symmetrically arranged, causing the bond dipoles to cancel out, leading to a zero net dipole moment.
CO is a diatomic molecule composed of two different atoms (carbon and oxygen) with different electronegativities, resulting in an uneven electron distribution and thus a nonzero dipole moment.
BF3 has a trigonal planar geometry with three identical B-F bonds symmetrically arranged, so the bond dipoles cancel out, resulting in a zero dipole moment.
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