I know, Im bad at science. Problem is, by book and professor are being really vague.
Alright, how can I tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar?
Alright, how can I tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar?
Need Some More Chemistry Help
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Well firstly the molecule has to have covalent bonds.
Then you check the electonegativity of the atoms that are in the molecule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity)
The atom with the higher electronegativity is negative and the one with the lower electronegativity is positive (so you can now draw your dipoles with delta -/+).
Then check the shape of the molecule to see if one side of the molecule is negative and the other positive. If it is the molecule is polar.
(eg: Hydrochloric acid has one dipole and is polar as the hydrogen is positive and the chlorine is negative: (+)H-Cl(-)
However carbon dioxide has two dipoles but it's shape means that the molecule as a whole isn't polar as both of it's "ends" are negative
-)O=C(+)=O(-) )
I hope I explained it ok. I've been on summer vacation for the past two months so it's not super fresh in my mind
Then you check the electonegativity of the atoms that are in the molecule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity)
The atom with the higher electronegativity is negative and the one with the lower electronegativity is positive (so you can now draw your dipoles with delta -/+).
Then check the shape of the molecule to see if one side of the molecule is negative and the other positive. If it is the molecule is polar.
(eg: Hydrochloric acid has one dipole and is polar as the hydrogen is positive and the chlorine is negative: (+)H-Cl(-)
However carbon dioxide has two dipoles but it's shape means that the molecule as a whole isn't polar as both of it's "ends" are negative
-)O=C(+)=O(-) )I hope I explained it ok. I've been on summer vacation for the past two months so it's not super fresh in my mind
Yes, I think i understand now. Thank you very much!Snippy the Shoe said:Well firstly the molecule has to have covalent bonds.
Then you check the electonegativity of the atoms that are in the molecule (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electronegativity)
The atom with the higher electronegativity is negative and the one with the lower electronegativity is positive (so you can now draw your dipoles with delta -/+).
Then check the shape of the molecule to see if one side of the molecule is negative and the other positive. If it is the molecule is polar.
(eg: Hydrochloric acid has one dipole and is polar as the hydrogen is positive and the chlorine is negative: (+)H-Cl(-)
However carbon dioxide has two dipoles but it's shape means that the molecule as a whole isn't polar as both of it's "ends" are negative
I hope I explained it ok. I've been on summer vacation for the past two months so it's not super fresh in my mind
Happy to help .
Although if I were you I'd re-read the page in the textbook to check if I've paraphrased that correctly.
I'd also recommend that you watch some of the videos on this site: http://www.khanacademy.org/
It's full of really good explanations for most science and maths topics. Plus if you become a member you can win BADGES!...and learn more I guess.
.Although if I were you I'd re-read the page in the textbook to check if I've paraphrased that correctly.
I'd also recommend that you watch some of the videos on this site: http://www.khanacademy.org/
It's full of really good explanations for most science and maths topics. Plus if you become a member you can win BADGES!...and learn more I guess.