Polarity

Front

What is polarity in chemistry?

Back

Polarity refers to the distribution of electrical charge over the atoms joined by the bond. A polar molecule has a partial positive charge on one end and a partial negative charge on the other end.

Front

What determines if a molecule is polar or nonpolar?

Back

The polarity of a molecule is determined by the difference in electronegativity between the atoms and the shape of the molecule. If the electronegativity difference is significant and the molecule is asymmetrical, it is likely polar.

Front

What is electronegativity?

Back

Electronegativity is a measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding pair of electrons. It is a key factor in determining the polarity of a bond.

Front

What is a nonpolar molecule?

Back

A nonpolar molecule is one where the electrons are shared equally between the atoms, resulting in no overall charge difference across the molecule.

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 the difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.

Front

Give an example of a nonpolar molecule.

Back

Oxygen gas (O2) is an example of a nonpolar molecule because the two oxygen atoms share electrons equally.

Front

What is the significance of molecular shape in determining polarity?

Back

The shape of a molecule affects how the dipoles (charge differences) are arranged. If the dipoles cancel each other out due to symmetry, the molecule is nonpolar.

Front

How does the presence of lone pairs affect molecular polarity?

Back

Lone pairs can create an uneven distribution of charge, leading to a polar molecule even if the bonded atoms are identical.

Front

What is the relationship between polarity and solubility?

Back

Polar substances tend to dissolve well in polar solvents (like water), while nonpolar substances dissolve well in nonpolar solvents (like oil). This is summarized by the phrase 'like dissolves like'.

Front

What is a dipole moment?

Back

A dipole moment is a measure of the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule. It indicates the polarity of the molecule.