The Structure and Properties of Matter

The Polarity of a Molecule Based on Its Structure

Objective
At the end of the lesson, you should be able to determine if a molecule is polar or
nonpolar given its structure.

In your previous Chemistry lessons, you have learned that a molecule has a certain
shape or geometry.

Did you know that such molecule may exhibit polarity based on its 3-
dimensional shape?

Last Updated: 08.12.16

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There are millions of different molecules, and there are many ways to sort them. One
way to classify them is based on polarity. Polarity means having dipoles, a positive and
a negative end. Based on polarity, molecules can be polar or nonpolar.

Polar molecules have dipoles. Their dipole moments do not add up to zero (or do not
cancel out). Water and carbon monoxide are examples of polar molecules.

Nonpolar molecules do not have positive or negative ends. Their dipole moments
add up to zero (they cancel out). Carbon tetrachloride and methane are examples of
nonpolar molecules.

Generally, you can tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on:

 its structure or shape

 the polarity of the individual bonds present in the molecule

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Steps in Determining the Polarity of a Molecule

1. Draw the correct Lewis structure and molecular geometry of the molecule.
2. Identify the polarity of each bond present in the molecule. A bond is polar when
the atoms in the bond have different electronegativities. Recall
 that electronegativity is the measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a
bonding pair of electrons. (You may use the periodic table to determine the
electronegativity values of the atoms.)
3. Draw the dipole moment vectors for polar bonds. The dipole moment vector
points to the more electronegative atom.

4. Determine the sum of the dipole moment vectors. If the dipole moments cancel
out each other, the molecule is nonpolar; otherwise, it is polar.
What do you think?
Are all linear molecules polar? Why or why not?
Key Points
 Polarity means having dipoles, a positive and a negative end. Based on polarity,
molecules can be polar or nonpolar.
 Polar molecules have dipoles. Their dipole moments do not add up to zero (or
do not cancel out).
 Nonpolar molecules do not have positive or negative ends. Their dipole
moments add up to zero (they cancel out).
 In general, you can tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on the shape of
the molecule and the polarity of the individual bonds present in the
molecule.

What factors describe the polarity of a molecule?

Incorrect!
2bond polarity and molecular size
You can tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on the shape of the molecule and the polarity of
the individual bonds present in the molecule.

Next question
1bond length and molecular shape3bond polarity and molecular shape4bond length and
molecular size
Which of the following statements describes a nonpolar molecule?

Incorrect!
1It has dipoles.
If the dipole moments of the individual bonds add up to zero, then the molecule is nonpolar.

Next question
2It has zero net dipole moment.3It has positive and negative ends.4It has partial
separation of charges.
Which of the following statements does not describe a polar molecule?

Correct!
2The atoms in the molecule have same electronegativities.
A molecule must contain at least one polar bond for it to be polar. Otherwise, there will be no dipole
moments and the molecule is nonpolar.

Next question
1The net dipole moments of the bonds do not add up to zero.3It has a positive and a
negative end.4Its bond polarities do not cancel out.
Which of the following steps will not help you identify if a molecule is polar or nonpolar?

Incorrect!
1Draw the structure or shape of the molecule.
Changing the identity of the atoms will make a different molecule.

Next question
2Change some of the atoms in the molecule.3Determine the net dipole moment.4Identify
the polarity of the individual bonds present in the molecule.

Oxygen gas (), a very important gas for humans, is a nonpolar molecule. Which of the following
statements support this?

Incorrect!
3It does not have a symmetrical shape.
The O-O bond in the molecule is nonpolar, which makes the molecule nonpolar.

Next question
1It contains only a nonpolar bond.2It has positive and negative ends.4The dipole
moments do not cancel out.

Why is hydrogen chloride considered a polar molecule?

Incorrect!
1Because it is linear and the dipole moments cancel out.2Because it has positive and
negative ends.
Chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen. The H-Cl bond is polar.

Next question
3Because the bond between hydrogen and chlorine is polar.4Because the net dipole
moment of the molecule is zero.