Molecular Polarity

CYNTHIA J. VELASCO
SHS Teacher

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Polarity

• The way in which atoms bond with

each other.
• It is the symmetry of the charges in a
molecule.
• It relates to other physical properties of a
molecule such as boiling point, solubility,
and intermolecular interaction.

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Polarity
• A polar molecule arises when one of the
atoms exerts a stronger attractive force on
the electrons in the bond.
• Two factors that determine the polarity of
molecules:
• Electronegativity
• Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR)
Model/Theory

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Electronegativity

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Electronegativity

• Measure of the relative tendency of an

atom to attract electrons to itself
when chemically combined with another
atom.
• The ability of an atom to attract
electrons in a chemical bond.
Higher the value of electronegativity = more it
tends to attract electrons toward itself

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Some Electronegativity Values for
Group A Elements
Electronegativity
` increases
Electronegativity decreases

High
values
`

Low
values

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Electronegativity Difference (∆EN)

The difference in electronegativity

between two elements.
It gives an indication of the polarity
of the bond.

Greater the difference in electronegativity

= the more polar is the bond

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Electronegativity Difference (∆EN)

∆EN Type of Bond

Pure Covalent /
ΔEN < 0.5
Nonpolar Covalent
ΔEN ≥ 0.5 Polar Covalent

ΔEN > 1.7 Ionic

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Ionic Bonds

Examples:
Electronegativity

Atoms Difference Type of Bond

Cl-K 3.0 – 0.8 = 2.2 Ionic
N-Na 3.0 – 0.9 = 2.1 Ionic
S-Cs 2.5 – 0.7 = 1.8 Ionic

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Non-Polar Covalent Bonds

Examples:
Electronegativity

Atoms Difference Type of Bond

N-N 3.0 - 3.0 = 0.0 Nonpolar
Cl-Br 3.0 - 2.8 = 0.2 Nonpolar
H-Si 2.1 - 1.8 = 0.3 Nonpolar

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Polar Covalent Bonds

Examples:
Electronegativity

Atoms Difference Type of Bond

O-Cl 3.5 - 3.0 = 0.5 Polar covalent
Cl-C 3.0 - 2.5 = 0.5 Polar covalent
O-S 3.5 - 2.5 = 1.0 Polar covalent

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Rule of the Thumb

• To predict the bond type for two

atoms:
• 1. Find the electronegativity value
for each element.
• 2. Subtract the smaller value from the
larger.

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Learning Check

• Use the electronegativity difference to identify the

type of bond between the following:
nonpolar covalent (NP), polar covalent (P),
or ionic (I)
A. K-N 2.2 ionic (I)
B. N-O 0.5 polar (P)
C. Cl-Cl 0.0 nonpolar (NP)
D. H-Cl 0.9 polar (P)
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Molecular Geometry
[Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion
(VSEPR) Model]

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VSEPR Model

• Stands for Valence Shell Electron Pair

Repulsion Model (VSEPR - pronounced “vesper”)
• It is used to predict the shape of
molecules.
• It accounts for the geometric
arrangements of electron pairs around a
central atom in terms of electrostatic
repulsion between electron pairs.
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VSEPR Model
Most Common Geometries that Molecules can Assume:

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VSEPR Model

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VSEPR Model

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VSEPR Model

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VSEPR Model

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VSEPR Model

Summary:

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VSEPR Model

• For more information you may visit:

https://www.angelo.edu/faculty/kboudrea/general
/shapes/00_lewis.htm

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Molecular Polarity

• Two of the most practical

manifestations of polarity of
molecules are:
• Solubility is the ability of a
substance in its solid, liquid, or gas
state to dissolve in a solvent to give
a homogeneous solution.
• Miscibility occurs when two liquids
with similar polarity (and, therefore,
similar intermolecular interactions)
are combined and the liquids mix to
form a homogeneous solution.

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Your Task:

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Thank You