Molecular Polarity

Front

What is molecular polarity?

Back

Molecular polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms in a molecule, determining whether it has a positive or negative end.

Front

What makes a molecule polar?

Back

A molecule is polar if it has a net dipole moment due to the presence of polar bonds and an asymmetrical shape.

Front

What is a non-polar molecule?

Back

A non-polar molecule has an even distribution of electrical charge, resulting in no distinct positive or negative poles.

Front

What is electronegativity?

Back

Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Front

How does electronegativity affect molecular polarity?

Back

Differences in electronegativity between bonded atoms can create polar bonds, contributing to the overall polarity of the molecule.

Front

What is a dipole moment?

Back

A dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule, indicating its polarity.

Front

Can a molecule with polar bonds be non-polar?

Back

Yes, if the polar bonds are arranged symmetrically and cancel each other out, the molecule can be non-polar.

Front

What role do lone pairs play in molecular polarity?

Back

Lone pairs on the central atom can create an asymmetrical charge distribution, making the molecule polar.

Front

Give an example of a polar molecule.

Back

Water (H2O) is a common example of a polar molecule due to its bent shape and difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.

Front

Give an example of a non-polar molecule.

Back

Carbon dioxide (CO2) is a non-polar molecule because it has a linear shape that allows the dipoles to cancel each other out.