Quarter 1 Physical Science

Module 3: Polarity of Molecules

Learning objectives
After going through this learning episode, you are expected to:
1. differentiate polar and nonpolar bonds;
2. determine the polarity of chemical bonds between atoms using the concept of electronegativity;
3. familiarize with the different molecular shapes;
4. explain how polarity of bonds and molecular geometry affects the polarity of molecules.

Lesson 3
It is interesting to have a quick glance at the lessons you have learned about compounds and
chemical bonds when you were in Grades 8, 9 and 10. Can you still recall them? Great! In Grade 8,
you learned that atoms combine to form molecules or compounds thus making them more stable by
achieving a stable configuration satisfying the Octet Rule. On the other hand, you learned about
chemical bonds or intramolecular forces and its three types such as ionic, covalent and metallic and
the writing of Lewis dot symbol in Grade 9. While in your Grade-10 Science, you have learned the
concepts of electronegativity and you were briefly introduced to the topic polarity of molecules
using the electronegativity values
Studying this module will certainly increase your understanding about the polarity of molecules.
This module is packed with interesting activities which will make you enjoy your Chemistry lessons even
more. So, are you ready to delve on an exciting quest for chemistry learning? You may start now by
doing the activity below. Goodluck and happy learning!

Chemical bonds are formed when atoms lose, accept or share electrons. An ionic bond occurs
when there is a transfer of one or more valence electrons form one atom to another. It exists between
metal and nonmetal atoms where metal loses electron/s while nonmetal accepts the electron/s
donated by metal. On the other hand, when two nonmetal atoms combine, neither of them loses or
gains electron Instead, electron pairs are being shared by both atoms and the type of chemical bond
formed is called covalent bond.

Tell whether the compound below is an ionic compound (IC) or covalent compound (CC)
based on the type of chemical bond present.
____1. NaCl _____6. N2O
____2. CO2 ______7. PCl5
____3. CaCl2 _____8.KBr
____4. CCl4 _____9. HCl
____5. Fe2O3 _____10.AlCl3

ANSWER: NaCl, CaCl2, Fe2O3,KBr, and AlCl3 are all ionic compound because the atoms
involved are combination of metal and nonmetal. On the other hand, CO2, CCl4, N2O, PCl5 and HCl
are covalent compounds because the atoms involved are both nonmetals.

It’s good that you were able to recall the difference between ionic bond and covalent bond.
You have learned that a covalent is a shared pair of electrons between two atoms. But are the
electrons equally shared by the combing atoms? How does a polar covalent bond differ from a
nonpolar covalent? Did you know that electronegativity of an atom can be used to further classify
covalent bond into polar and nonpolar? As you perform the activity below, you will find out that
substances have different polarities, and this explains why there are substances that do not mix while
others do.
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The polarity of molecules is determined by the two factors: the polarity of bonds based on the
electronegativity difference of the atoms involved and the geometrical shape of the molecules which
can be predicted via valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory.

A. Polarity of Bonds and Electronegativity

In your grade 9 chemistry, you have tackled the lesson on the periodic properties of elements
such as atomic size, metallic property, ionization energy, electron affinity and electronegativity. Can
you still recall the definition of electronegativity? If not, no problem because I will define it for you.

Electronegativity (EN) measures the relative tendency of an atom to attract electrons to

itself when chemically combined with other atom. Take a look at the electronegativity values of some
elements on Fig.1. What have you noticed? Correct! It increases within period (from left to right) and
decreases within a group (from top to bottom). Take note also that the higher the value of EN, the
more it tends to attract electron towards itself.

So what is the connection of electronegativity to the polarity of bonds? We could use the
electronegativity values of the atoms involved to get the absolute electronegativity difference (∆EN)
which will help us in predicting what type of chemical bond (ionic, polar covalent or nonpolar
covalent) that would exist between them. Table 1 shows the type of bond based on the
electronegativity difference of bonded atoms.

Table 1. Type of bond based on electronegativity difference of bonded atoms

For example, you are asked to predict what type of bond is present between the
following pairs of atoms by determining their electronegativity difference. 1. Ca and Cl 2. Cl and Cl 3.
H and Cl 4. S and O 5. C and N

Solution: 1. ENCa = 1.0 (∆EN) = 1.0 – 3.0 = │ -2.0│= 2.0 ionic bond
ENCl = 3.0 2. ENCl = 3.0 (∆EN) = 3.0 – 3.0 = 0 nonpolar covalent bond

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 ENCl = 3.0 3. ENH = 2.1 (∆EN) = 2.1 – 3.0 = │ -0.9│= 0.9 polar covalent bond
ENCl= 3.0 4. ENS= 2.5 (∆EN) = 2.5 – 3.5 = │ -1.0│= 1.0 polar covalent bond
ENO = 3.5 5. ENC= 2.5 (∆EN) = 2.5 – 3.0 = │ -0.5│= 0.5 polar covalent bond
ENN = 3.0

Using the above examples, let us know more about polar and nonpolar covalent bonds. A polar
covalent bond is formed when electrons are shared unequally by two atoms in a compound. The
bonded pair of atoms form an electric dipole (represented by ). Dipole means “two poles” which
means that a molecule has one positive end and one negative end. In this type of bond, the atom
with the higher EN value becomes the partial negative pole (symbolized as ẟ-) while the atom with the
lower EN value becomes the partially positive (symbolized as ẟ+) pole. Always bear in mind that
the direction of the arrow is always pointing from a more electropositive pole to the more
electronegative pole. Take HCl for example, H is has higher EN than Cl, thus the direction of the arrow
is from H pointing to Cl and there is unequal electron density as represented by a size of the circle (refer
to figure 2). On the other hand, a nonpolar covalent bond develops if both atoms equally share a pair
of electrons between them.

This occurs when the bonding atoms have approximately equal EN value or equal ability to
attract electrons to each side. Nonpolar covalent bond is an example of bond formed when two
chlorine atoms combine.

B. Polarity of Molecules and Molecular Geometry

You just have learned how to predict the type of bond polarity simply by calculating the
electronegativity difference of atoms (specifically two atoms). The next question is, how about for those
molecules consisting of more than two atoms like H 2O, CCl4, NH3 and CO2? For polyatomic
molecules, both the bond polarity and molecular shape determine the overall molecular polarity. In
terms of molecular geometry, the valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory would help us to
determine the spatial arrangement of atoms in a polyatomic molecule.

You can predict the shape or molecular geometry of a substance using the following steps:

Step 1: Determine the central atom of a molecule. The central atom is the least
electronegative element.

Step 2: Draw the appropriate Lewis dot structure for the molecule.
Step 3: Count the number of bonding pairs of electrons and non-bonding (or lone pairs)
around the central atom.

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 Step 4: Determine the electron pair orientation using the total number of electron pairs.
Step 5: Name the shape of based on the location of the atoms

Consider the examples below:

Example 1: Predict the molecular geometry of BCl3

Step 1: ENB = 2.0 ENCl= 3.0 therefore, B will be the central atom and three Cl atoms are
attached to it. By looking at the chemical formula, you will also have an idea that boron will
be the central atom and three atoms of choline are attached to it.

Step 3: The central atom has three electron pairs: 3 bonded pairs and no lone pair
Step 4: The electron pair orientation for three electrons is trigonal planar.
Step 5: The molecular shape of BCl3 is trigonal planar.

Example 2: Predict the molecular geometry of CO2

Step 1: ENC= 2.5 ENO= 3.0 therefore, C will be the central atom and two O atoms will be the
attached to it. (Use may also use the chemical formula to predict which atom will be the
central atom

Step 3: For the purpose of determining the position of the bonding pairs, let us count the
double bonds as one bonding pair. Therefore, CO2 has two bonding pairs of electron.
Step 4: The electron pair orientation for two electron pairs is linear.

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 Step 5: The molecular shape of CO2 is linear.

Example 3: Predict the molecular geometry of CHCl3.

Step 1: ENC = 2.5, ENH= 2.1 and ENCl= 3.0. Because carbon is less electronegative than
chlorine and hydrogen is normally terminal atom, C must be the central atom.

Step 3: There are four bonding electron pairs.

Step 4: The electron pair orientation for four electron pairs is tetrahedral.
Step 5: The molecular shape of CHCl3 is linear.

Now that you have learned how to determine the molecular geometry, let us now go on to
our discussion of polarity of molecules based on molecular shapes. You may study the diagram
below and we will use it as our guide.

Going back to our previous examples, let us try to determine the polarity of molecules of BCl3,
CO2 and CHCl3. For both BCl3 and CO2, the atoms are symmetrically arranged (trigonal planar and
linear) and the attached atoms to the central atom are also the same. You must also take note that
in a symmetrical molecule, the sum of the bond dipole is equal to zero (because they cancel out)
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which leads to the formation of nonpolar molecule. Therefore, both BCl3 and CO2 are nonpolar. On
the other hand, CHCl3, although it has a symmetrical arrangement (tetrahedral), the atoms attached
to the central atom are not all the same (3 chlorine atoms and 1 hydrogen atom). This causes CHCl3
to become a polar molecule. Now, let us see if you fully understood our discussion. I want you to try
answering the exercises below.

Identify which molecule is polar and which is nonpolar given the Lewis structure and molecular
shapes of the following molecules.

If you were able to answer that NH3 and H2O are polar molecules because the bond
dipole cannot be cancelled because of the presence of lone pairs on the central atom and CCl4 and
HBr are nonpolar molecules, you are correct. Job well done! You may now proceed to the rest of this
module.

Activity 3.1.

Directions. Copy and complete the table in your yellow paper. (20 points)

Molecule Lewis Electronegativity Bond Polarity Molecular Polarity of

Structure Geometry Molecule

PCl5 1. 2. 3. 4 5
BeCl2 6 7 8 9 10
CH4 11 12 13 14 15
SF6 16 17 18 19 20

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Post-test 3

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. The following molecules have polar covalent bonds EXCEPT?

a. NH3 b. CS2 c. BCl3 d. HBr
2. Which of the following bonds is the MOST polar?
a. H-Cl b. C-Cl c. H-H d. N-F

3. What is the molecular shape of CHBr3?

a. Linear b. Trigonal planar c. Trigonal bipyramidal d. Tetrahedral
4. A nonpolar covalent bond would form in which of the following pairs of atoms?
a. Na-Cl b. Ca-O c. P-N d. C-S
5. From the given Lewis structure of NH3, how many nonbonding pair/s of electron are around the
central atom?
a. 0 b. 1 c. 2 d. 3

6. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?

a. Polar covalent bonds can be present in a nonpolar molecule.
b. Polar covalent bond is present if the electronegativity difference between atoms is equal or less
than 0.4.
c. Polarity of bond and molecular geometry are the two factors that affect the polarity of molecules.
d. Polar bond forms when electrons are unequally shared by two atoms in a compound.

7. What do you call the relative ability of a bonded atom to attract shared electron pairs?
a. Electron affinity b. Electronegativity c. Ionization energy d. Metallic property

8. Which description below correctly describes polar molecules?

a. Have polar bonds present.
b. The polar bonds are arranged so that they do not cancel.
c. Lone pairs on the central atom are arranged so that they do not cancel. d. Lone pairs on the
central atom are arranged so that they can be cancelled out.

9. Which of the following molecules is tetrahedral?

a. H2O b. SF6 c. CH4 d. BF3
10. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about CO2?
a. Has an electronegativity difference of 1.0 c. Has a linear molecular shape
b. Polar bond is present d. Is a polar molecule

True or False: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write FALSE.
11. S and O are bonded by a polar covalent bond because its electronegativity difference value is
1.0.
12. Atoms with high electronegativity have a greater tendency to attract electrons toward itself.
13. Polarity of molecules are determined both by polarity of bonds and molecular geometry.
14. Among C-Cl, H-Cl, C-H and Cl-Cl, only Cl-Cl is polar.
15. Methyl alcohol, CH3OH, is a nonpolar molecule.

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 Quarter 1 Physical Science

Module 4: Polarity of Molecules and Its Properties

Learning objectives
After going through this learning episode, you are expected to:
1. define solubility, miscibility and polarity;
2. identify the different types of intermolecular forces of attraction;
3. explain how polarity of molecules related to its properties

Lesson 4
From the previous module, you learned how to determine the polarity of bonds using the
concept of electronegativity. Also, you learned that polarity of molecules is affected by both the
polarity of bonds and its molecular shape or geometry.

A. Polarity, Solubility, and Miscibility

One of the practical applications of polarity of molecule in real-life scenario is manifested on the
solubility and miscibility of substances to form solution. Solubility is defined as the ability of a solid
substance to be dissolved in a given amount of solvent while miscibility is the ability of the two liquids
to combine or mix in all proportions, creating a homogenous mixture.

The general rule to remember about the solubility and miscibility of molecular compounds can
be summarized in a phrase, “like dissolves like” or “like mixes with like”. This means that polar substances
will only be dissolved or mixed with polar substances while nonpolar substances will be soluble or
miscible with another nonpolar substance.

Now I want you to try the exercises below in order to assess how much you have understood
the solubility (and miscibility) rule of substances in relation to their polarity.

Which of the following substances below will most likely mix with each other?
a. water (H2O) and chloroform (CHCl3)
b. benzene (C6H6) and chloroform (CHCl3)
c. water (H2O) and vinegar (CH3COOH)
d. acetone (C3H6O) and toluene (C6H5CH3)
e. carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) and water (H2O)

What chemistry concept did you used in answering the question above? If you answered
polarity of molecules, then you are on the right track. Great job! Benzene and chloroform are both
nonpolar compounds while water and vinegar are both polar compounds, thus they are miscible to
each other. However, the rest is a combination of polar and nonpolar molecules and therefore will not
mix and instead will form two layers even if shaken or carefully stirred.

B. Bond Strength and Physical Properties of Covalent Compounds

From the previous module, you learned the intramolecular forces of attraction, the attractive
force that binds atoms together. In this module, you will learn another type of attractive force, the
intermolecular forces of attraction (IMFA) which exists between molecules.

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 In this lesson, we will not discuss IMFA in so much detail because it will be tackled to you in the
next module. We will just focus on the following salient points of IMFA and its effect on the physical
properties of covalent compounds:

1. There are several types of IMFA and below they are arranged from
STRONGEST to WEAKEST. Ion-dipole → H-bonding→ dipole-dipole→dipole-induced dipole→ London
forces of attraction
2. The strength of IMFA greatly affects the physical properties of substances such as boiling point,
melting point, vapor pressure, surface tension, etc.

Before we move further, try to perform the exercise below to test your ability to analyze concepts
and principles that you have learned from the discussion.

Put a check (/) to those properties applicable for polar molecule.

____1. High boiling point ____7. High vapor pressure

____2. Low boiling point ____8. Low vapor pressure
____3. High melting point ____9. High surface tension
____4. Low melting point ____10. Low surface tension
____5. High volatility ____11. H-bonding & dipole-dipole present
____6. Low volatility ____12. London dispersion is present

How well did you perform in this exercise? Continue reading for you to find out the correct
answers for this activity.

From the above discussion you learned that there are several types of IMFA and their relative
strength as compared to other types. Strong intermolecular forces tend to yield solids and liquids
while weak intermolecular forces favor formation of gases.

Table 1 shows the comparison of the various types of IMFA while table 2 shows the physical properties
of polar and nonpolar molecules as affected by the type of IMFA present.

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Let us define the physical properties of substances:

A. Boiling point: temperature at which the vapor pressure and atmospheric pressure of a liquid
substance are equal.
B. Melting point: temperature at which solid becomes liquid. At this point, the solid and liquid phases
exist in equilibrium.
C. Surface tension: energy needed to increase the surface area by a unit amount;
D. Viscosity: the resistance of the liquid to flow
E. Vapor pressure: pressure exerted by a substance in its gaseous state.
F. Volatility: measures the rate at which a substance vaporizes (changes from liquid to gas)

In the simplest sense, boiling point, melting point, viscosity and surface tension increase as the
strength of intermolecular forces increases. On the other hand, vapor pressure and volatility decrease
with increasing strength of IMFA. London dispersion forces increase as the molecular mass of a
substance increases. Unlike in H-bonding, as the molar mass increases, the boiling point, melting point,
viscosity and surface tension decrease.

Activity 4.1

Directions. Answer the following questions in your paper. (5 points each)

1. Distinguish intramolecular forces of attraction and intermolecular forces of attraction.

2. In your own words, explain the Solubility Rule.
3. Compare and contrast polar and non-polar molecules based on its physical properties.
4. Using the concept of bond polarity and solubility, explain why water (H 2O) and
vinegar are miscible, but vinegar and oil are immiscible.
5. Using the concept of intermolecular forces of attraction, explain why butter melts at room
temperature but solidifies when refrigerated.

Post-test 4

Multiple Choice: Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.
1. Which of the following IMFAs is considered as the weakest?
a. H-bonding b. Ion-dipole c. Dipole-dipole d. London forces

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2. The boiling point of water is greater than dihydrogen sulfide because of ______.
a. Dipole-dipole bond b. H-bonding c. London dispersion d. Ion-dipole
3. Which of the following substances will dissolve most likely in water?
a. Oil b. Carbon tetrachloride (CCl4)
c. Vinegar (CH3COOH) d. Hexane (C6H14)
4. Which of the following molecules has high melting point?
a. CHCl3 b. CCl4 c. BCl3 d. BeCl2
5. ______ refers to the energy required to increase the surface area by a unit amount.
a. Viscosity b. Surface tension c. Vapor pressure d. Density
6. Which of the following statements is TRUE about nonpolar molecules
a. Have high boiling point b. Have high melting point
c. Have low surface tension d. Have low vapor pressure

7. Which of the following substances is miscible in hexane (C6H14)?

a. Acetone (C3H6O) b. Vinegar (CH3COOH)
c. Chloroform (CHCl3) d. Methanol (CH3OH)
8. The following are intermolecular forces of attraction EXCEPT:
a. H-bond b. Dipole-dipole c. Covalent bond d. London forces
9. Which of the following properties has indirect relationship with the strength of
IMFA?
a. Boiling point b. Melting point c. Surface tension d. Vapor pressure
10. In which of the following solvents would molecular iodine (I2) be most soluble?
a. Vinegar b. Water c. Ethyl alcohol d. Carbon tetrachloride

True or False: Write T if the statement is true, otherwise write F.

11. H-bonds are broken when ice melts.

12. Molecules with H-bonds have higher boiling point than molecules with dipole-dipole bond.
13. In covalent molecules, vapor pressure decreases with decreasing strength of intermolecular
forces.
14. When the attractive forces holding particles together are greater, you have to get to a higher
temperature to break those forces, so the melting point is higher.
15. The strength of dispersion (London) forces tends to increase with increased molecular weight.

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