Multiple Choice
Which of the following compounds is polar?
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following best describes the polarity of the molecule SO_3?
A
SO_3 is a polar molecule because it contains polar bonds and has a net dipole moment.
B
SO_3 is a polar molecule because it has a lone pair on the central atom.
C
SO_3 is a nonpolar molecule because its molecular geometry is trigonal planar and the dipoles cancel out.
D
SO_3 is a nonpolar molecule because it is composed only of nonpolar bonds.
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the Lewis structure of SO\_3. Sulfur (S) is the central atom bonded to three oxygen (O) atoms, with no lone pairs on sulfur.
Determine the molecular geometry using VSEPR theory. With three regions of electron density and no lone pairs on the central atom, SO\_3 has a trigonal planar shape.
Analyze the polarity of the S–O bonds. Each S–O bond is polar due to the difference in electronegativity between sulfur and oxygen.
Consider the molecular geometry and bond dipoles. In a trigonal planar molecule like SO\_3, the three bond dipoles are symmetrically arranged 120° apart, causing them to cancel out.
Conclude the overall polarity of SO\_3. Because the bond dipoles cancel, SO\_3 has no net dipole moment and is therefore a nonpolar molecule.
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