answersLogoWhite

0

Some molecules have a symmetrical geometry that causes the polarity of the bonds to cancel each other out.

A good example of this is carbon dioxide. A carbon-oxygen bond is polar, but carbon dioxide contains 2 identical carbon-oxygen bond at 180 degrees to one another. The two bonds with the polarities in opposite directions result in a net dipole moment of zero.

User Avatar

Wiki User

14y ago

What else can I help you with?

Continue Learning about Chemistry

Can a molecule be polar with no polar covalent bonds?

Yes, a molecule can be polar without having polar covalent bonds. This is because polarity in a molecule is determined by the overall distribution of charge within the molecule, which can be influenced by its shape and symmetry. For example, molecules with asymmetric charge distributions or different electronegativities between atoms can exhibit polarity even without polar covalent bonds.


Is sulfuric acid polar?

Yes, sulfuric acid is a polar molecule due to its asymmetrical molecular structure and presence of polar covalent bonds between sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms.


Can polar molecules have non polar bonds and still be polar?

Yes, polar molecules can have nonpolar bonds, as long as the overall molecular geometry is asymmetrical causing an uneven distribution of charge. This results in a net dipole moment, making the molecule polar.


How can a molecule be nonpolar overall and still contain polar bands?

A molecule can be nonpolar overall if the polar bonds are arranged symmetrically around the central atom so that their dipole moments cancel each other out. This occurs in molecules with linear or symmetrical geometries. The individual polar bonds may contribute to the molecule's polarity, but the overall geometry leads to a nonpolar molecule.


Is pf3 polar or nonpolar?

PH3 is a non-polar covalent molecule. This is somehow confusing because, when you draw out the Lewis diagram, you will observe a lone pair on the P atom. However, if the electronegativity difference does not have a polar bond, then no matter what happens, it will always be non polar. In this case, the EN is 0.01, which indicates non polar. (Non polar EN is 0~0.4)To decide whether a molecule is polar or non-polar, first draw the Lewis diagram. Then calculate the electronegativity. If the electronegativity is non polar, then no matter it has lone pairs or it has more than one group around the central atom, it will always be non polar. In this case, PH3 is non polar because of it has a non polar bond indicated by the electronegativity even though it has lone pairs.But if the bond is polar, then you might have a chance to get a polar molecule depending on either of these 2 factors:1. If there are lone pairs2. If there are other groups around the central atomFor example, H2O is polar because:1.It has a polar bond for electronegativity2.It has lone pairs(Even if it doesn't have a other groups around the central atom, it's still polar because it's polar if you just satisfy either of the 2 conditions)If both conditions of the above are not met, then it's non polar even if it has a polar bond. Like CO2, a molecule has a polar bond, but fails to meet both of the conditions, is a non polar molecule.Always remember to check your electronegativity. Remember if a molecule only has non polar bonds, then it must be a non polar molecule no matter which condition is satisfied after (ex. lone pairs). If a molecule has polar bonds, then it may be a polar molecule depending on either of the 2 conditions listed.

Related Questions

Can a molecule be non-polar overall but still contain a polar bonds?

yes


How can a molecule nonpolar overall and still contain polar bonds?

Yes, a molecule can be nonpolar when it contains polar covalent bonds, because think about it. if the molecule is linear in structure, and it has two equally polar bonds on either side, then the polarity will essentially cancel out, and it will become nonpolar.


What is true about a molecule which contains two polar bonds which have the different degrees of polarity will it always be polar or never be polar or only be polar if it is bent?

A molecule with two polar bonds of different polarities can still be polar if the individual bond dipoles do not cancel each other out. The overall polarity of the molecule depends on its geometry and symmetry. If the molecule is linear, it will not be polar regardless of the differing bond polarities. If it is bent or asymmetrical, it will be polar.


Can a molecule be polar with no polar covalent bonds?

Yes, a molecule can be polar without having polar covalent bonds. This is because polarity in a molecule is determined by the overall distribution of charge within the molecule, which can be influenced by its shape and symmetry. For example, molecules with asymmetric charge distributions or different electronegativities between atoms can exhibit polarity even without polar covalent bonds.


Is sulfuric acid polar?

Yes, sulfuric acid is a polar molecule due to its asymmetrical molecular structure and presence of polar covalent bonds between sulfur, oxygen, and hydrogen atoms.


Can polar molecules have non polar bonds and still be polar?

Yes, polar molecules can have nonpolar bonds, as long as the overall molecular geometry is asymmetrical causing an uneven distribution of charge. This results in a net dipole moment, making the molecule polar.


How can a molecule be nonpolar overall and still contain polar bands?

A molecule can be nonpolar overall if the polar bonds are arranged symmetrically around the central atom so that their dipole moments cancel each other out. This occurs in molecules with linear or symmetrical geometries. The individual polar bonds may contribute to the molecule's polarity, but the overall geometry leads to a nonpolar molecule.


Can a compound be non-polar if it contains only 1 polar bond?

Yes, a compound can still be non-polar even if it contains one polar bond if the overall molecular structure is symmetrical and the polar bonds cancel each other out. This can happen if the polar bonds are arranged symmetrically in the molecule.


Is pf3 polar or nonpolar?

PH3 is a non-polar covalent molecule. This is somehow confusing because, when you draw out the Lewis diagram, you will observe a lone pair on the P atom. However, if the electronegativity difference does not have a polar bond, then no matter what happens, it will always be non polar. In this case, the EN is 0.01, which indicates non polar. (Non polar EN is 0~0.4)To decide whether a molecule is polar or non-polar, first draw the Lewis diagram. Then calculate the electronegativity. If the electronegativity is non polar, then no matter it has lone pairs or it has more than one group around the central atom, it will always be non polar. In this case, PH3 is non polar because of it has a non polar bond indicated by the electronegativity even though it has lone pairs.But if the bond is polar, then you might have a chance to get a polar molecule depending on either of these 2 factors:1. If there are lone pairs2. If there are other groups around the central atomFor example, H2O is polar because:1.It has a polar bond for electronegativity2.It has lone pairs(Even if it doesn't have a other groups around the central atom, it's still polar because it's polar if you just satisfy either of the 2 conditions)If both conditions of the above are not met, then it's non polar even if it has a polar bond. Like CO2, a molecule has a polar bond, but fails to meet both of the conditions, is a non polar molecule.Always remember to check your electronegativity. Remember if a molecule only has non polar bonds, then it must be a non polar molecule no matter which condition is satisfied after (ex. lone pairs). If a molecule has polar bonds, then it may be a polar molecule depending on either of the 2 conditions listed.


What cause dipole interactions?

Dipole interactions occur between molecules that have permanent dipoles, which means there is an unequal distribution of charge within the molecule. These interactions result from the attraction between the positive end of one polar molecule and the negative end of another polar molecule. Dipole interactions are weaker than ionic or covalent bonds but still contribute to the overall forces between molecules.


What type of chemical bond does water have?

The two hydrogen atoms in water molecule (H2O) are connected to the oxygen via covalent bonds, which means the hydrogen and oxygen share electrons. (The hydrogen-oxygen bonds are primarily covalent rather than ionic.)The molecules in liquid water are said to engage in hydrogen boding between molecules. Water molecules are very polar because the oxygen has a partial negative charge and the hydrogens have partial positive charges. Because it is so polar, water can form hydrogen bonds, where the oxygen from one molecule of water has a strong attraction to the hydrogen atoms in another molecule of water. These H-bonds are strong compared to other intermolecular forces, but still fairly weak compared to the covalent bonds within the water molecules.


When part of a molecule is positive and the other is negative?

If a molecule has different charges at different ends, it is called a polar molecule, or a dipole. Dipoles occur when the electronegativity of the atoms in the molecule force the electrons to be pulled more towards one side. An example of a polar molecule is H2O. Since Oxygen has a greater electronegativity than Hydrogen, the molecules are pulled towards the Oxygen more than they are towards the Hydrogen.There are cases when a molecule seems like it would be polar, but isn't. For instance, CH4 has polar bonds, but the molecule itself is not polar. To determine why, you have to draw out a structural diagram of CH4. Since the Hydrogens (atoms of equal electronegativity) are diametrically opposite one another, the molecule is nonpolar. That does not mean that a molecule like CH2Cl2 would be nonpolar, since there is still a great difference in the electronegativity of Hydrogen and Chlorine.An electronegativity difference of 0.5 or less is considered insignificant.Additionally, what you are referring to may be Vander Waals Forces (or London Dispersion Forces) which create temporary dipoles.