Multiple Choice
Which of the following best describes the polarity of nickel(II) chloride (NiCl_2)?
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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 SO_3?
A
SO_3 is a nonpolar molecule because it contains only nonpolar bonds.
B
SO_3 is a polar molecule because it contains polar bonds and has a bent geometry.
C
SO_3 is a nonpolar molecule because its molecular geometry is trigonal planar and the dipole moments cancel.
D
SO_3 is a polar molecule because the oxygen atoms create a net dipole moment.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the Lewis structure of SO\_3 by counting the total valence electrons: sulfur has 6 valence electrons and each oxygen has 6, so total electrons = 6 + 3 \times 6 = 24 electrons.
Draw the Lewis structure with sulfur as the central atom bonded to three oxygen atoms, and arrange the bonds to satisfy the octet rule, considering resonance structures if necessary.
Determine the molecular geometry of SO\_3 using VSEPR theory. With three regions of electron density around sulfur and no lone pairs, the shape is trigonal planar.
Analyze the polarity of each S–O bond. Since oxygen is more electronegative than sulfur, each S–O bond is polar with a dipole moment pointing toward oxygen.
Evaluate the overall molecular polarity by considering the symmetry of the trigonal planar shape. The three polar bonds are symmetrically arranged, so their dipole moments cancel out, making SO\_3 a nonpolar molecule.
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