Physical Science

Polarity of Molecules
3rd Quarter
Week 2

Learning Objective:
o Determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar given its structure (S11/12PS-IIIc-15)

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected]
1
 o Relate the polarity of a molecule to its properties (S11/12PS-IIIf-16)

Time allotment: 4 hours

Specific Objectives:
After the lesson, the students will be able to:
1. determine whether of a bond is ionic, nonpolar or polar covalent based on the
electronegativity difference
2. Apply the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory to predict the geometry of
molecules.
3. Predict the polarity of molecule

Key Concepts

Molecular Geometry
- Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a
molecule.
- The shape of a molecule is determined by its bond angles, the angles made by the lines
joining the nuclei of the atoms in the molecule. The bond angles of a molecule,
together with the bond lengths, define the shape and size of the molecule.
- The geometry of a molecule can be predicted using the assumption that electrons in
the valence shell around the central atom will repel from each other. Every electron
group around a central atom is located as far away as possible to minimize repulsions.
This is also known as Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion Theory (VSEPR).
- Key ideas in predicting molecular geometry using the VSEPR Theory
• Electron groups (one or more electron pairs) are located as far away from each
other as possible in order to minimize repulsion.
• Molecular geometry is determined by identifying the bonded pairs and lone
pairs around the central atom. Thus, it is important to know first the Lewis
structure of the compound.
• Single bonds, double bonds and triple bonds are considered as one electron
group.
• Lone pairs (LP) of electron occupy more volume than bond pairs (BP).
• LP-LP>LP-BP>BP-BP. Lone pair-lone pair repulsions are greater than lone
pairbond pair repulsions and greater than bond pair-bond pair repulsion.
Atoms
Bonded Lone Three
Electron ElectronGroup Bond Molecular
to Pairs of Example Dimensional
Groups Geometry Angle Geometry
Central Electrons Model
Atom
2 Linear 2 0 180° Linear CO2

Trigonal
3 Trigonal Planar 3 0 120° BF3
Planar

3 Trigonal Planar 2 1 <120° Bent NO2-

4 Tetrahedral 4 0 109.5° Tetrahedral CH4

Trigonal
4 Tetrahedral 3 1 <109.5° NH3
Pyramidal

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 2
 4 Tetrahedral 2 2 <109.5° Bent H 2O

90°
Trigonal (axial) Trigonal
5 5 0 PCl5
Bipyramidal 120° Bipyramidal
(equatorial)
Trigonal 90°
Bipyramidal (axial)
5 4 1 120° Seesaw SF4
(equatorial)

Trigonal <90° (axial)

Bipyramidal
5 3 2 T-shaped ClF3

Trigonal 180°
5 Bipyramidal 2 3 Linear XeF2

Octahedral 90°
6 6 0 Octahedral SF6

Octahedral <90°
Square
6 5 1 BrF5
pyramidal

Octahedral 90°
Square
6 4 2 XeF4
planar

Table 1. Molecular Shapes for Central Atom with Two, Three and Four Bonded Atoms
Image source:
Theodore L. Brown et al., Chemistry the Central Science, 14th ed. (New York: Pearson, 2018), 389-392.

Example: Predict the molecular geometry of BeCl 2.

a. Draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.
b. How many electron groups are present? 2 electron groups
c. How many bond pair/s are present around the central atom? 2 bond pairs
d. How many lone pair/s are present around the central atom? 0 lone pair
e. How will these electron groups orient themselves in order to minimize repulsion? The
combination between the bonded atoms and lone pairs, 2-0 will give BeCl2 a linear
electron group geometry and a linear shape.
f. What is the bond angle in Cl-Be-Cl? 180°

Example: Predict the molecular geometry of BCl 3.

a. Draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.

b. How many electron groups are present? 3 electron groups

c. How many bond pairs are present around the central atom? 3 bond pairs
d. How many lone pair/s are present around the central atom? 0 lone pair

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 3
 e. How will these electron groups orient themselves in order to minimize repulsion? The
combination between the bonded atoms and lone pairs, 3-0 will give BCl3 a trigonal
planar electron group geometry and a trigonal planar shape.
f. What is the bond angle in Cl-B-Cl? 120°

Example: Predict the molecular geometry of SO2.

a. Draw the Lewis structure of the molecule.

b. How many electron groups are present? 3 electron groups

c. How many bond pairs are present around the central atom? 2 bond pairs
d. How many lone pair/s are present around the central atom? 1 lone pair
e. How will these electron groups orient themselves in order to minimize repulsion? The
combination between the bonded atoms and lone pairs, 2-1 will give SO2 a trigonal
planar electron group geometry but the molecular geometry is bent shape. F. What is the
bond angle in O-S-O? 120°

- The table above will guide you how to identify the electron group geometry as well as the
molecular geometry of compounds. Note that, if there are no lone pairs around the
central atom the electron group geometry is the same with its molecular geometry.

Example: Predict the molecular geometry of acetone in every carbon atom.

Electron groups 4 3 4
Bond pairs 4 3 4
Lone pairs 0 0 0
Electron group
Tetrahedral Trigonal planar Tetrahedral
geometry
Molecular geometry Tetrahedral Trigonal planar Tetrahedral
Bond angle 109.5 ° 120 ° 109.5 °

Bond Polarity
- Covalent bonds may be classified into nonpolar or polar covalent bonds depending on
the electronegativity difference between atoms.
- Electronegativity refers to the ability of an atom to draw or attract the electrons of
other atoms toward itself. Elements with greater electronegativity value such as
Fluorine has a higher tendency to attract the electrons of other atoms.
- In a polar covalent bond, the shared electrons are more attracted to the more
electronegative atom making it partially negative ( ẟ-) while the other end becomes
partially positive (ẟ+) due to the lack of electrons in an atom. Polar covalent bond that

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 4
 has a separation of charges is called a dipole. An arrow ( ) is used to represent
dipole where the arrow head is pointed towards the more electronegative atom.
- In a nonpolar covalent bond, electrons are shared equally between atoms. The
electronegativity difference ranges from 0.0 to 0.4.
Bond Electronegativity Difference
(∆EN)
Ionic Bond ∆EN ≥ 1.8
Polar Covalent Bond 1.8 > ∆EN > 0.4
Nonpolar Covalent Bond ∆EN ≤ 0.4

Figure 1. Electronegativity Difference and Type of Bonds

Image source:
Karen C. Timberlake, Chemistry, an Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological
Chemistry, Twelfth Edition (Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2015), 190.
- Determine the type of bond between each pair of atoms. Use the electronegativity
values provided in Figure 3.

Electronegativity
Type of Bond Reason
Difference

Ca─Cl bond
3.0-1.0=2.0 Ionic bond Greater than 1.8
in CaCl2
C─S bond Nonpolar covalent Between 0 and
2.5-2.5=0.0
in CS2 bond 0.4

H─Cl bond Polar covalent Greater than 0.4

3.0-2.1=0.9
in HCl Bond but less than 1.8

Dipole Moments and Polarity of Molecule

- If the electronegativity difference is greater than 1.8, electrons are not shared but
transferred from one atom to another which results to formation of an ionic bond.
- Consider the atoms of hydrogen and chlorine. Hydrogen atom has an electronegativity
value of 2.1 and chlorine atom has 3.0. These values imply that the electrons of
hydrogen are drawn towards chlorine atom which results to a partially negative
chlorine and partially positive hydrogen.

H─Cl
ẟ+ ẟ-
- Between carbon and sulfur, both atoms have the same electronegativity value of 2.5.
This means that the electrons are shared equally between carbon and sulfur making
the bond nonpolar.

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 5
Polarity of Simple Compounds
- Polar molecules always contain one end that is more negatively charged. Polarity
occurs when the dipoles from the individual bond do not cancel each other.

Example 1. Is water a polar molecule or not?

Electronegativity:
O = 3.5 ; H = 2.1
ẟ-

ẟ+ ẟ+
Electronegativity difference = 3.5 – 2.1 = 1.4 (Polar covalent bond)

Consider the bent shape of water. The individual dipoles are directed towards oxygen,
therefore, they do not cancel each other which explains that water molecule is polar.
The net dipole moment of oxygen is upward.

- Nonpolar molecules occur when the polar bonds cancel each other because of its
asymmetrical arrangement. Some polar molecules have polar bonds but the resulting
molecule is nonpolar.

- Example 2. Is CO2 a polar molecule or not?

Electronegativity:
C = 2.5 ; O = 3.5

ẟ- ẟ+ ẟ-

Electronegativity difference = 3.5 – 2.5 = 1.0

Net dipole moment = 1.0 – 1.0 = 0.0 (Nonpolar covalent bond)

The bonds between carbon and oxygen are both polar. However, these bonds are
directed in opposite direction which cancels out resulting to a net dipole moment of 0.
- The polarity of substances will help us in determining its solubility in different
solvents. Solubility of substances follows the general rule “like dissolves like”. Polar
solute dissolves in a polar solvent. Nonpolar solute dissolves in a nonpolar solvent

Activity 1. Complete me.

What you need: Periodic Table
What to do: Complete the table with the needed information.
Lewis Electron Electron Bonded Lone Bond Molecular
Structure Groups Group Atoms Pairs Angle Geometry
Geometry
BeCl2 2 linear 2 0 180° Linear
1. HCN

2. NCl3

3. CH4

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 6
 4. PCl5

Activity 2. Identify our bond.

What you need: Electronegativity Values

Image source:
Karen C. Timberlake, Chemistry, an Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry, Twelfth Edition
(Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2015), 189.
Figure 3. Electronegativity Values

What to do: Identify the type of bond between each pair of atoms. Use the electronegativity values
provided in Figure 3.
Electronegativity
Type of Bond
Difference
C─O bond in CO 3.5-2.5=1.0 Polar Covalent Bond
1. H─H bond in H2

2. Br─Cl bond in BrCl3

3. H─Br bond in HBr

4. As─Cl bond in AsCl5

5. P─Br bond in PBr5

Activity 3. Polar or Nonpolar?

What you need: Periodic Table

What to do: Determine the molecular geometry and polarity of the following molecules.

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 7
 Lewis Molecular
Polarity
Structure Geometry
1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Assessment

Choose the letter of the best answer.

1. How many electron groups are present around the central atom
carbon in CH2O?
A. 1 B. 2 C. 3 D. 4
2. How many electrons does a double covalent bond represent?
A. 2 B. 4 C. 6 D. 8

3. Which statement best explains why CH2O is more polar than CCl2O?

CCl2O CH2O

A. because of the relatively upward dipoles in it that will all add up

B. because hydrogen has greater electronegativity value than Chlorine.
C. because it is surrounded by hydrogen atom that is directed downward
D. because of its opposing dipoles which decrease the overall dipole moment of the
molecule
4. Which pair of atoms is the most polar?
Electronegativity Difference
A. C—O 3.5 – 2.5 = 1.0
B. C—S 2.5 – 2.5 = 0
C. Se—P 2.4 – 2.1 = 0.3
D. Ca—Cl
5. W h a t3.0 – 1.0 = 2.0i s t h e m
A. linear B. octahedral C. trigonal planar D. tetrahedral
6. Which of the following has tetrahedral electron domain geometry?
A. HBr B. HCN C. O3 D. OF2

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 8
7. Which of the following has a trigonal planar molecular geometry?

A. B. C. D.

8. Which of the following is a nonpolar covalent bond?

A. CO B. NF3 C. Al2O3 D. SF6
9. Which of the following illustrations is correct?

A. H─F B. O─S C. S─Cl D. B─H

10. The molecule boron trifluoride, BF3, assumes a trigonal planar geometry with boron
as the central atom. Which statement correctly describes the polarity of the B-F
bond and the polarity of the molecule?
A. The B-F bond is polar; the BF3 molecule is polar.
B. The B-F bond is nonpolar; the BF3 molecule is polar.
C. The B-F bond is polar; the BF3 molecule is nonpolar.
D. The B-F bond is nonpolar; the BF3 molecule is nonpolar.

Reflection

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 9
 1. What would be the consequences if water becomes a nonpolar molecule?
2. What type of covalent bond do you have with your siblings or parents, is it polar or
nonpolar? Why?
RUBRICS

3 2 1 0
High level of Moderate level of science Low level of No
science concept concept science concept explanation at
understanding is understanding is understanding all.
apparent in the apparent in the is apparent
explanation with explanation with minimal with
no misconceptions. misconceptions. misconceptions.

Answer Key
Activity 1.
ElectronGroup
Compoun Lewis Electron Bonded Lone Bond Molecular
Geometry
d Structure Groups Atoms Pairs Angle Geometry
BeCl2 2 Linear 2 0 180° Linear
1. HCN 2 Linear 2 0 180° Linear
Trigonal
2. NCl3 4 Tetrahedral 3 1 109.5° pyramidal

3. CH4 4 Tetrahedral 4 0 109.5° Tetrahedral

Trigonal 120° Trigonal

4. PCl5 5 5 0
bipyramidal 90° bipyramidal

Activity 2.
Electronegativity
Type of Bond
Difference
1. H─H bond
2.1-2.1 = 0.0 Nonpolar covalent bond
in H2
2. Br─Cl bond in
3.0-2.8 = 0.2 Nonpolar covalent bond
BrCl3
3. H─Br bond
2.8-2.1 = 0.7 Polar covalent bond
in HBr
4. As─Cl bond in
3.0-2.0 = 1.0 Polar covalent bond
AsCl5
5. P─Br bond in
2.8-2.1 = 0.7 Polar covalent bond
PBr5

Activity 3.

Lewis Structure Molecular

Polarity
Geometry
1. Linear Polar

Linear Polar
2.

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 10
 Trigonal
Polar
pyramidal
3.
Linear Nonpolar
4.

Tetrahedral Nonpolar

5.
References for learners
Bayquen, Aristea V., and Gardee T. Peña. 2016. General Chemistry 1. Quezon City: Phoenix
Publishing House, Inc.

Brown, Theodore L., H. Eugene Lemay, Bruce E. Bursten, Catherine J. Murphy, Patrick M.
Woodward, and Mathew W. Stoltzfus. Chemistry the Central Science. 14th ed. New York:
Pearson, 2018.

Patalinghug, Wyona C., Vic Marie I. Camacho, Fortunato B. Sevilla III, and Maria Cristina D.
Singson. 2016. Teaching Guide for Senior High School General Chemistry 1. Quezon
City: Commission on Higher Education.

Timberlake, Karen C. Chemistry, an Introduction to General, Organic, and Biological Chemistry,

Twelfth Edition. Upper Saddle River: Prentice Hall, 2015.

Author: Pamela Lou C. Suazo

School/Station: Unidad National High School
Division: Surigao del Sur Division
email address: [email protected] 11