Multiple Choice
Which of the following molecules is polar?
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13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces
Molecular Polarity
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Which type of intermolecular force is present in CF_4 (carbon tetrafluoride)?
A
Ionic bonding
B
Hydrogen bonding
C
London dispersion forces
D
Dipole-dipole forces
Verified step by step guidance1
Identify the molecular structure of CF\_4 (carbon tetrafluoride). It is a tetrahedral molecule with four fluorine atoms symmetrically arranged around a central carbon atom.
Determine the polarity of the molecule. Although each C-F bond is polar due to the difference in electronegativity, the symmetrical tetrahedral shape causes the bond dipoles to cancel out, making the overall molecule nonpolar.
Recall that nonpolar molecules do not exhibit dipole-dipole forces or hydrogen bonding because these require permanent dipoles or specific atoms like H bonded to N, O, or F.
Since CF\_4 is nonpolar, the only intermolecular forces present are London dispersion forces, which arise from temporary fluctuations in electron density creating instantaneous dipoles.
Conclude that the dominant intermolecular force in CF\_4 is London dispersion forces, not ionic bonding, hydrogen bonding, or dipole-dipole forces.
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