Polarity Puzzle Challenge - Exercise on Polarity of

Molecules

Self-Assessments:
5/5 complete the assignment and answer all questions asked with only one
minor hint

4/5 - needs 2-3 small hints to answer questions but essentially completed
the assignment by themselves

3/5 - needs some major hints to answer or has a mistake in models

1/5 - struggled to complete, needed major assistance, must re-think

exercise

In your groups give yourselves a grade after completing the activity

Possible questions or tasks…

● What is the shape around the central atom?

● How many electron clouds are attached to the atom?
● What is the name of the molecule?
● Which molecule is the least or most polar?
● Consider the net dipole moment
● What is the BP?
● How many lone pairs are on this molecule or atom?
● Use the model kit to build the molecule.
● Consider bond angles.
● Consider the intermolecular forces
Your task…

1. Figure of the Lewis Structure for these following molecules

● Ethane C2H6

● Methanol CH3OH

● Methylamine CH3NH2

2. Looking at your Lewis structures, in terms of valence electrons how are these three
molecules similar? How are they different?

3. Find the molar mass of each of the three compounds.

4. Considering that the molar mass gives some indication of the relative size of the
molecules, these three are all in roughly the same size range. On the basis of
molecular size alone, would you expect the BP of these compounds be similar or
different?

5. Make 3D models with modeling kits or toothpicks and playdough.

6. Look up the EN values for

a. Carbon
b. Hydrogen
c. Nitrogen
d. Oxygen

7. Mark dipole arrows to show the polarity of the bonds.

8. Based on your models, predict which molecules are polar and which are non polar.
9. WHich one of the three do you predict is the most polar?
10.Based on the polarity, lost the three compounds in order of BP (high to low)
11. Compare your prediction with the actual values of BP available from your teacher.