Physical Science

Module 2: Polarity of
Molecules
Objectives:
Determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar
given its structure, S11/12PS-IIIc-16

Relate the polarity of a molecule to its

properties, S11/12PS-IIIc-d-17
Keywords
• Determine
• Polar
• Nonpolar
• Structure
• Relate
• Properties
Important Terms
• Covalent bonding
• Electronegativity
• Bond polarity
• Dipole Moment
• Net Dipole Moment
Electronegativity:
-atom's ability to attract electrons in a
covalent bond
Electronegativity
Bond Polarity
-the extent of equality of electron sharing between atoms
in a bond
• POLAR
-one of the atoms in the bond is MORE electronegative
that the other
• NONPOLAR
-If the atoms in the bond have the SAME
electronegativity OR the difference in electronegativity
between atoms is less than 0.5 units.
Which is/are polar?
A B C
How do we determine if a molecule is
polar?
Example
What is the en value of H?
What is the en value of O?
What is the difference in their
en values?
3.5-2.1 = 1.4
Is there a polar bond?
1.4 is greater that 0.5 so
there is a polar bond
• How many polar
bonds?
two
• Is there a net dipole?
yes
• Is it polar or
nonpolar?
polar
• How many polar bonds?
None, same
electronegativity
• Is there a net dipole?
none
• Is it polar or nonpolar?
nonpolar
Answer

• Difference in en is _________
• (2.5-2.1) = 0.4
• If the difference in en is less than 0.5, then the bond is

_______________________
nonpolar
Check your understanding. Identify the ff:
1. atom's ability to attract electrons in a covalent bond
electronegativity
2. defines the asymmetry of charge distribution in a
bond
dipole moment
3. sum of the dipole moments of all bonds in a molecule
net dipole moment
• 4. and 5

A molecule is polar if BOTH of the ff. conditions are sufficed

_______________________
_______________________
molecule has at least one polar bond
molecule has a net dipole
Assessment
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
Part 2
Lone pairs and bonding pairs
The shared pairs of
electrons are the
bonding pairs.
The unshared pairs
of electrons are the
lone pairs or
nonbonding pairs.
Example: Hydrogen Cyanide
Does it have a NET dipole moment?
Example: Formaldehyde
Example: Carbon Tetrachloride
Is there a dipole moment? Why? Why
not?
Example: Freon 11
Is there a net dipole?
Remember: