Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following best describes the molecular polarity of the carbonate ion, CO_3^{2-}?
A
It is a polar ion because the central carbon atom has a lone pair.
B
It is a polar ion because the oxygen atoms have different electronegativities.
C
It is a nonpolar ion because its molecular geometry is trigonal planar and the charge is evenly distributed.
D
It is a nonpolar ion because it contains only nonmetals.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the Lewis structure of the carbonate ion, CO_3^{2-}. The central atom is carbon, bonded to three oxygen atoms, and the ion carries a -2 charge.
Determine the electron geometry and molecular geometry. Since carbon forms three bonds and has no lone pairs, the molecular geometry is trigonal planar.
Consider the symmetry of the molecule. In a trigonal planar geometry with identical oxygen atoms, the bond dipoles are arranged symmetrically and cancel out.
Evaluate the distribution of charge. The -2 charge is delocalized over the three oxygen atoms, leading to an even charge distribution.
Conclude that because of the symmetrical trigonal planar shape and even charge distribution, the carbonate ion is nonpolar despite containing polar bonds.
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