PHYSICAL SCIENCE

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THE POLARITY OF A MOLECULE BASED ON ITS STRUCTURE

Background Information for the Learners (BIL)

A molecule could be a group of atoms. It’s the tiniest unit that may participate during a
chemical reaction.
There are many different types of molecules, and each one of those molecules may be
categorized into polar and non-polar groups. They are separated from each within the
presence or absence of electric poles. Let’s explore further: There are many different
molecules, and there are many ways to sort them. A way to classify them relies on polarity.
Polarity means having dipoles, a positive and a negative end. Based on polarity, molecules
can be polar or nonpolar. Some samples of polar molecules are water, alcohol and ammonia
and non-polar molecules are hydrocarbons like gasoline, methane, ethylene and diatomic
molecules (O2, N2, etc.)
Polar molecules have dipoles. Dipole moment is use to measure the polarity of a
chemical bond between two atoms in a molecule. Their dipole moments of polar molecules
don’t add up to zero (or don’t cancel out). In polar molecules, we see that the charge is not
uniformly distributed. It’s electrically asymmetric, that is, the electrical charges are not equally
distributed. When a highly electronegative atom bond with a comparatively less
electronegative atom, a polar molecule is made. It interacts with other molecules of the same
polarity to form solutions. Water and carbon monoxide are examples of polar molecules.
Nonpolar molecules do not have positive or negative ends. Their dipole moments add
up to zero (they cancel out). It is electrically symmetric, that is the electrical charges are
uniformly distributed. Most of the hydrocarbons liquids are nonpolar. Nonpolar molecules do
not interact the same way. If two combining atoms have similar or equal electronegativity
values, the bond formed is nonpolar. Carbon tetrachloride and methane are examples of
nonpolar molecules.

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Both types of molecules go by “like dissolves like” principle, which means that polar molecules
can dissolve into other polar molecules and nonpolar into other nonpolar molecules. Polar
cannot dissolve into non-polar molecules and vice versa.

In terms of electronegativity difference, polar molecules has electronegativity difference

between 0.5 & 1.9 while nonpolar molecules have electronegativity difference of 0.4 & less.

Source: https://www.wikihow.com/Calculate-Electronegativity

Example:
1. HCl
EN of H = 2.1
EN of Cl = 3.0 ΔEN = 0.9
2. H2O
EN of H = 2.1
EN of O = 3.5 ΔEN = 1.4
Elements with the higher EN value become the partial negative pole while elements with the
lower EN value become the partial positive pole. This makes the molecule a polar molecule.
Generally, you can tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on its structure or shape and
the polarity of the individual bonds present in the molecule. Bond polarity is a useful concept
for describing the sharing of electrons between atoms

• A nonpolar covalent bond is one in which the electrons are shared

equally between two atoms
• A polar covalent bond is one in which one atom has a greater attraction
for the electrons than the other atom. If this relative attraction is great
enough, then the bond is an ionic bond

Example: H2, N2 --- polar H-

H, N-N
HCl, CO ---non-polar

CO2 , there is electrical symmetry therefore it is nonpolar.

C-O is polar but if we consider the whole O=C=O due to symmetry then it is nonpolar.
Emphasize the possibility of having a polar bond between two atoms but if we consider the
structure of the whole molecule it turns out to be nonpolar.

HCN, it is electrically asymmetric therefore it is polar.

Molecular Geometry

The valence shell electron pair repulsion theory or VSEPR theory helps predict the spatial
arrangement of atoms in a polyatomic molecule. The shapes are designed to minimize the
repulsion within a molecule. Symmetry plays an important role in determining the polarity of a
molecule.

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 Source:

https://ontrack-media.net/gateway/chemistry/g_cm3l4rs5.html

Guidelines to determine the Valence shell electron pair repulsion theory (VSEPR)
shape of a molecule:
1. Determine the central atom of a molecule. The central atom is the least
electronegative element.
2. Count how many valence electrons the central atom has.
3. Count how many valence electrons the side atoms have.
4. Create the appropriate Lewis structure of the molecule.
5. Using the Lewis structure as a guide, the appropriate VSEPR shape for
the molecule.
6. Note how many electrons are shared and unshared. This will help
determine the appropriate VSEPR shape. Lone pairs has a big factor in making
a molecule polar.
Steps in Determining the Polarity of a Molecule

1. Draw the correct Lewis structure and molecular geometry of the molecule.
2. Identify the polarity of each bond present in the molecule. A bond is polar
when the atoms in the bond have different electronegativity. Recall that
electronegativity is the measure of the tendency of an atom to attract a bonding
pair of electrons. (You may use the periodic table to determine the
electronegativity values of the atoms.)
3. Draw the dipole moment vectors for polar bonds. The dipole moment
vector points to the more electronegative atom.

Source: http://www.ochempal.org/index.php/alphabetical/c-d/dipole-moment/

4. Determine the sum of the dipole moment vectors. If the dipole moments
cancel out each other, the molecule is nonpolar; otherwise, it is polar.

Example 1:
Carbon dioxide (CO2) is the gas that you exhale.
1. Correct Lewis structure and geometry:

Source: https://www.makethebrainhappy.com/2018/01/lewis-dot-structure-for-CO2.html

2. Oxygen is more electronegative than carbon. Therefore, the C—O bonds

are polar.
 Source: dashboard.dublinschools.net electronegativity of CO2

3. Since CO2 has a linear symmetrical structure, the dipole moments of the
C—O bonds cancel out.
Therefore, CO2 a nonpolar molecule.
Example 2:
Sulfur dioxide (SO2) is a colorless toxic gas formed by burning sulfur in air.
1. Correct Lewis structure and geometry:

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2. Oxygen is more electronegative than sulfur. Therefore, the S—O bonds are
polar.

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higher-electronegativity/

3. Since the molecule is bent-shaped, the dipole moments do not cancel out.
Therefore, SO2 is a polar molecule.

Tip: Note that the shape or structure does not directly determine whether the molecule is polar
or nonpolar. However, you need to know the shape of the molecule to know if the dipole
moments cancel out.
Are all bent molecules polar?

Mostly, yes. As aforesaid, bent molecules are asymmetrical just like trigonal pyramids
and that means that they are polar molecules.

The Exceptions

There are a few exceptions to the rules of polar and nonpolar molecules, and C-H bond
is a classic example. This molecule is nonpolar even though the bonds are slightly polar.
Nitrogen trichloride (NCl3) is a rare example. Nitrogen and chlorine are both electronegative.
That’s why their bond (N-Cl) is non-polar. However, when you see the NCl3 molecule, you will
see that the nitrogen atom has a single pair of electrons. This makes the molecule polar by
nature. Sulfur trioxide (SO3) and Boron trihydride (BH3) are other examples. They have polar
bonds, but they are nonpolar in nature. Ozone or trioxygen (O 3), on the other hand, has a
nonpolar bond but is polar by nature.
This Learning Activity Sheets composed of different interesting activities which will make you
enjoy learning. Are you ready? You may now start to learn this topic.

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

Activity 1: Polar and Non-polar Bond

Direction: Identify the following molecules whether polar or nonpolar (it is possible to have a
polar bond between atoms but nonpolar molecule.)

Formula Polar or Nonpolar

Molecules
1. NF

2. HCl
 3. N2

4. CS2

5. N2O

6. O3

7. NI3

8. Br2

9. CH2O

10. BCl3

Q1. How are polar molecules different from nonpolar?

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______________________________________________________________ Q2. What
types of elements combine to form a polar molecule and a non-polar molecule?
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Activity 2: Electronegativity Difference

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Procedure: Complete the table below by determining the electronegativity

difference between the bonded atoms and classify them whether the
molecules are polar or nonpolar.

Complete the table below.

No. Bonded Atoms Electronegativity Polar or Nonpolar
Difference Molecules

1. H - O (in H2O)

2. Cl - Cl (in Cl2)

3. N - H (in NH3)

4. C - H (in CH4)

5. H – H (in H2)
6.
C–P
7.
F – Cl
8.
Fe – O
9.
P - Cl
I–
10. I

Q1. What is the difference between polar and nonpolar molecules in terms of their
electronegativity difference?
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Q2. What is electronegativity?
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Activity 3: Electronegativity Difference

Procedures:
1. Draw the Lewis structure and describe the molecular geometry of the
following molecules.

2. Determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar given its structure.

Formula Lewis Structure Molecular Polar or
Geometry Nonpolar

1. NH3

2. CH4

3. PCl5

4. CCl4

5. F2

6. HF

7. O3

8. NCl3
 9. CHN

10. CH2O

Q1. Why is it that homo-nuclear diatomic molecules always form nonpolar bond?
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Q2. How many nonbonding pairs of electrons did the polar molecules have?
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________ Q3. How
many nonbonding pairs of electrons did the nonpolar molecules have?
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
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Activity 4: True or False

Direction: Label the following statements as True or False. If the statement is

false, underline the word/s that make it false and change it to make it true.
_____ 1. In a nonpolar bond, the electronegativity difference of the bonded atoms
should be 0.4 or less
_____ 2. In a polar bond, electrons are shared between atoms.
_____ 3. A nonpolar molecule has a dipole
_____ 4. In a polar bond, the electronegativity difference of the atoms must be greater
that 1.9
_____ 5. Nonpolar molecules have positive or negative ends.

Activity 5: Who Am I?
Direction: For each of the following Lewis structure, determine the shape/molecular geometry
of each molecule and identify whether it is a polar or nonpolar molecule.

1. 6.

2. 7.

3. 8.

4. 9.
 5. 10.

Reflection:

1. I learned that
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2. I enjoyed most on
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3. I want to learn more on

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References:

The Polarity of a Molecule Based on Its Structure by Warlito Zamora Canoy

https://web.facebook.com/notes/physical-science/lesson-31-the-polarity-of-a-moleculebased-on-its-
structure/2001514873198061/?_rdc=1&_rdr

https://www.slideshare.net/MarjorieBrondo/lesson-8-physical science?from_action=save OldSite

Vanden Bout. (2011). VSEPR Theory: Introduction. https://www.youtube.com/ watch?v=keHS-
CASZfc
www.sachs.gsacrd.ab.ca˃eteacher_download www.ohsd.net˃cms˃lib˃Centricity˃Domain
www.everettcc.edu˃program˃support˃tutoring-center˃chemistry
https://www.mikeblaber.org/oldwine/chm1045/notes/Bonding/Polarity/Bond05.htm
https://www.pinterest.ph/ali_sajid29/boards/