LESSON 2 POLAR AND NONPOLAR - Covalent bond first the molecule

o If polar bonds, the molecule can be either polar or

Polar Bond nonpolar.

- In order to determine if the molecule is polar or o If nonpolar, then the molecule is automatically
nonpolar, we need to identify the bond first. nonpolar.

o If equal atom (nonpolar)

- If polar bond, molecule can be polar if,
o If not equal (polar)
o There are different terminal atoms or

- Consider their electronegativity difference o Lone pairs/e around the central atom

Electron Difference - If not, then the molecule is nonpolar

- Polar Bond

o 1.8 – Ionic Bond (metallic)

o n > 0.5 = polar covalent bond

o n < 0.5 = nonpolar covalent bond

Example: SO4

1. Identify the Electronegativity of the Element Used/ its

Covalent Bond (polar or nonpolar?)

o Oxygen is more dominant (3.5 – 2.5 (Sulfur) = 1)

o The amount we got is greater than 0.5

o 1 > 0.5 = SO4 is a polar covalent bond

Lewis Structure
2. Identify the Molecule (polar or nonpolar?)
Practice: Lewis Structure only (molecule)
o Since it is a polar bond, it can be a polar or
nonpolar molecule. 1. NH3 = polar molecule

o In every atom, there are complete 8 valence

electron/lone pair N=5

o Check the requirements: H=1x3=3

= 8 valence electrons that can be distributed
☹ There are different terminal atoms or

✔ Lone pairs/e around the central atom

o SO4 is a nonpolar molecule

SO4 is a polar covalent bond and a nonpolar molecule

2. CF4 = nonpolar molecule

Example: CO2
C=4
F = 7 x 4 = 28
= 32 valence electrons that can be distributed

1. Identify the Electronegativity of the Element Used/ its

Covalent Bond (polar or nonpolar?)

o Oxygen is more dominant (3.5 – 2.5 (from Carbon)

= 1)

o 1 > 0.5 = CO2 is a polar covalent bond

2. Identify the Molecule (polar or nonpolar?)

3. NF3 = polar molecule
o Check the requirements:
N=5
☹ There are different terminal atoms or F = 7 x 3 = 21

✔ Lone pairs/e around the central atom = 26 valence electrons that can be distributed

o CO2 is a nonpolar molecule

CO2 is a polar covalent bond and a nonpolar molecule

4. CCl4 = nonpolar molecule 7. SO2 = polar molecule

C=4 S=6
Cl = 7 x 4 = 28 O = 6 x 2 = 12
= 32 valence electrons that can be distributed = 18 valence electrons that can be distributed
-8 used = 24 lone pairs to be distributed -4 used = 14 lone pairs to be distributed

5. SO4 = nonpolar molecule

S=6
O = 6 x 4 = 24
= 30 valence electrons that can be distributed
-8 used = 22 lone pairs
SO4 is polyion so -2 valence

6. CO2 = nonpolar molecule

C=4
O = 6 x 2 = 12
= 16 valence electrons that can be distributed
-4 used = 12 lone pairs to be distributed