The Polarity of a Molecule

Polarity
Polarity means having dipoles, a positive and a
negative end. Based on polarity, molecules can
be polar or nonpolar.
Molecule
the smallest physical unit of an element or
compound, consisting of one or more like atoms
in an element and two or more different atoms
in a compound.
Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of how easily an

atom attracts a pair of electrons to form a
chemical bond.
Polar Molecules 1.7 > EN > 0.4

Polar molecules have dipoles. Their dipole moments do

not add up to zero (or do not cancel out).
Non-Polar Molecules EN ≤ 0.4

Nonpolar molecules do not have positive or negative ends.

Their dipole moments add up to zero (they cancel out).
Which of the three show(s) polarity?

Polar Non-Polar Polar

The Properties of a Molecule
Based on Its Polarity
Polar Molecules
Non-Polar Molecules
How do you relate the strength of attraction between
the molecules to their observable properties?

Solubility
Melting Point
Boiling Point
SOLUBILITY
“like dissolves like”
Polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents
Nonpolar solutes dissolve in nonpolar solvents.
Melting Point 2

Melting point is the temperature at which a solid turns into liquid.

Because the polar molecules have relatively stronger forces of
attraction compared to nonpolar ones, greater amount of heat must
be applied to break these forces.
Polar molecules have higher melting points than nonpolar
molecules.
 Boiling Point
Boiling point is the temperature at which a liquid turns into gas.
Generally, polar molecules have higher boiling points than nonpolar
molecules.
 Carbon Dioxide Molecules

Water molecules

Polar Non-Polar
Generalization
Polarity means having dipoles, a positive and a negative end. Based on polarity,
molecules can be polar or nonpolar.
Polar molecules have dipoles. Their dipole moments do not add up to zero (or do
not cancel out).
Nonpolar molecules do not have positive or negative ends. Their dipole moments
add up to zero (they cancel out).
In general, you can tell if a molecule is polar or nonpolar based on the shape of the
molecule and the polarity of the individual bonds present in the molecule.
Generalization
Polar molecules have stronger attractive forces compared to nonpolar molecules.

In general, polar molecules have higher boiling and melting points compared to
nonpolar ones.

“Like dissolves like.” Polar solutes dissolve in polar solvents while nonpolar solutes
dissolve in nonpolar solvents.