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Multiple Choice
Is the molecule CH3F (fluoromethane) polar or nonpolar?
A
Nonpolar
B
Polar
Verified step by step guidance
1
Step 1: Draw the Lewis structure of CH\_3F (fluoromethane). Carbon (C) is the central atom bonded to three hydrogen (H) atoms and one fluorine (F) atom.
Step 2: Determine the molecular geometry. Since carbon forms four single bonds, the shape around carbon is tetrahedral with bond angles close to 109.5°.
Step 3: Consider the electronegativity values of the atoms. Fluorine is highly electronegative compared to carbon and hydrogen, so the C–F bond is polar with a dipole pointing toward fluorine.
Step 4: Analyze the symmetry of the molecule. The three C–H bonds are less polar and symmetrically arranged, but the presence of the highly polar C–F bond creates an overall dipole moment.
Step 5: Conclude that because the dipole moments do not cancel out due to the difference in electronegativity and molecular geometry, CH\_3F is a polar molecule.