Molecule Polarity Chemistry Tutorial
Key Concepts
- A non-polar molecule has no net dipole.
This can be achieved by the molecule having:
(a) only non-polar bonds
(b) polar bonds arranged symmetrically so that the dipoles cancel out
- A polar molecule has a net dipole.
This is achieved in the molecule by the molecule being made up of polar bonds arranged unsymmetrically so that the dipoles do not cancel out.
- To determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar, you will need to:
(a) use the electronegativity of atoms in each bond to decide if each bond is polar or non-polar
(b) determine the shape of the molecule using VSPER theory to decide if the bonds are arranged symmetrically (non-polar molecule) or not (non-polar molecule)