Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules is overall nonpolar?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which of the following best describes the polarity of the molecule NOCl?
A
NOCl is a polar molecule.
B
NOCl is amphiprotic and can act as both polar and nonpolar.
C
NOCl is ionic and therefore does not have molecular polarity.
D
NOCl is a nonpolar molecule.
Verified step by step guidance1
Step 1: Determine the molecular structure of NOCl by drawing its Lewis structure. Identify the central atom (N), and connect it to O and Cl atoms with appropriate bonds, considering the total valence electrons.
Step 2: Analyze the shape of the molecule using VSEPR theory. NOCl has a bent or angular shape due to the presence of lone pairs on the nitrogen atom, which affects the overall geometry.
Step 3: Consider the electronegativity values of nitrogen (N), oxygen (O), and chlorine (Cl). Oxygen is more electronegative than nitrogen, and chlorine is also quite electronegative but less than oxygen.
Step 4: Evaluate the bond dipoles. The N–O and N–Cl bonds have different dipole moments because of the difference in electronegativity between the atoms, and these dipoles do not cancel out due to the molecule's shape.
Step 5: Conclude that because the bond dipoles do not cancel and the molecule has an asymmetric shape, NOCl is a polar molecule.
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