Molecular Polarity Quiz

A molecule of propane is nonpolar because it has a symmetrical distribution of charge. In propane, the carbon atoms are bonded to each other in a straight chain, with three hydrogen atoms attached to each carbon atom. The carbon-hydrogen bonds are nonpolar, and since the molecule is symmetrical, the distribution of charge is also symmetrical. This means that the molecule does not have any regions of partial positive or partial negative charge, resulting in a nonpolar molecule.

The correct answer is that H2 is nonpolar because its charges are distributed symmetrically and its geometric shape is symmetrical. In a nonpolar molecule, the electron distribution is equal, resulting in no partial charges. H2 consists of two hydrogen atoms, and since they are identical, the electron distribution is symmetrical, making it nonpolar. The geometric shape of H2 is linear, which further supports its nonpolarity.

The correct answer is that O2 is nonpolar because its charges are distributed symmetrically and its geometric shape is symmetrical. In the O2 molecule, both oxygen atoms have the same electronegativity, resulting in an equal sharing of electrons and no partial charges. Additionally, the molecule has a linear shape with the oxygen atoms on opposite sides, creating a symmetric distribution of charges. As a result, the molecule has no overall dipole moment and is considered nonpolar.

A molecule of 1-octanol is polar because it has an asymmetrical distribution of charge. This means that the molecule has regions with partial positive charges and regions with partial negative charges, creating a dipole moment. The oxygen atom in 1-octanol is more electronegative than the carbon and hydrogen atoms, causing it to pull the shared electrons towards itself, resulting in a partial negative charge. This unequal sharing of electrons creates a polar bond between the oxygen and hydrogen atoms, making the molecule overall polar.

Octanol is a polar molecule, like water is, while octane is a nonpolar molecule. Since octanol and water have the same molecular polarities, based on "like dissolves like", octanol will dissolve in water. On the other hand, octane and water do NOT have similar polarities, so octane will not dissolve in water.

Sucrose is a polar molecule because it has polar covalent bonds and an asymmetrical shape, resulting in an uneven distribution of charge. Water is also a polar molecule due to its bent shape and polar covalent bonds. The similar polarities of sucrose and water allow them to attract each other through intermolecular forces, such as hydrogen bonding, leading to the dissolution of sucrose in water. On the other hand, octane is a nonpolar molecule because it has only nonpolar covalent bonds and a symmetrical shape, resulting in an even distribution of charge. The different polarities of octane and water prevent them from attracting each other, leading to the inability of octane to dissolve in water.

CF4 is a nonpolar molecule because it has a symmetrical distribution of charge. In CF4, the carbon atom is surrounded by four fluorine atoms in a tetrahedral arrangement. Each fluorine atom pulls the electron density towards itself, resulting in a symmetrical distribution of charge around the carbon atom. The fluorine atoms are equally distributed around the carbon atom, creating a symmetrical charge distribution. As a result, the molecule has no net dipole moment and is considered nonpolar.

CO2 is a linear molecule with two oxygen atoms bonded to a central carbon atom. The oxygen atoms are more electronegative than carbon, causing them to pull the electron density towards themselves. However, since the molecule is linear, the oxygen atoms pull equally in opposite directions, resulting in a symmetrical distribution of charges. This symmetrical charge distribution cancels out the polarity of the individual bonds, making the molecule nonpolar overall. Additionally, the geometric shape of CO2 is also symmetrical, further supporting its nonpolar nature.

The correct answer is "It is polar, because its charges are distributed asymmetrically and its geometric shape is asymmetrical." This is because in a water molecule (H2O), the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the hydrogen atoms, causing an uneven distribution of charge. The oxygen atom pulls the shared electrons closer to itself, creating a partial negative charge on the oxygen and partial positive charges on the hydrogen atoms. Additionally, the arrangement of the atoms in a water molecule is bent or V-shaped, which is an asymmetrical shape. This combination of uneven charge distribution and asymmetrical shape makes H2O a polar molecule.

The correct answer is "It is polar, because its charges are distributed asymmetrically and its geometric shape is asymmetrical." This is because the molecule NCl3 has a trigonal pyramidal shape, with the nitrogen atom at the center and three chlorine atoms surrounding it. The nitrogen atom has a lone pair of electrons, which causes the molecule to be asymmetrical. This leads to an uneven distribution of charges, with the chlorine atoms having a slightly negative charge and the nitrogen atom having a slightly positive charge. Therefore, NCl3 is a polar molecule.

NF3 is a polar molecule because it has a lone pair of electrons on the central nitrogen atom, causing an asymmetrical distribution of charge. The three fluorine atoms surrounding the nitrogen atom pull the electron density towards them, creating a partial negative charge on the fluorine atoms and a partial positive charge on the nitrogen atom. This results in an overall dipole moment, making NF3 a polar molecule.

The correct answer is that CO is polar because its charges are distributed asymmetrically and its geometric shape is asymmetrical. In CO, the oxygen atom is more electronegative than the carbon atom, causing a partial negative charge on the oxygen and a partial positive charge on the carbon. This uneven distribution of charge creates a polar molecule. Additionally, the molecule has a linear shape, with the oxygen atom on one side and the carbon atom on the other, making it asymmetrical. This further contributes to its polarity.