Module 2 Phy Sci

Physical Science
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Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
442-2564; 442-8219; 442-8256; Fax No.: 442-6268 Grade Level/Section:
Email: email@uc-bcf.edu.ph; Website: www.uc-bcf.edu.ph
MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:
LESSON
2 POLARITY OF MOLECULES AND MOLECULAR GEOMETRY
Lesson Content
1.1 Atomic structure
1.2 Polarity of molecules
1.3 Molecular Geometry
Objectives:
• Determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar given its structure.
• Relate the polarity of a molecule to its properties.
• Draw Lewis dot structure of a molecule
• Determine shapes of a molecule
INTRODUCTION
Development of the Atom
The Atomic Structure

On the basis of Dalton’s atomic theory, we can define atom as the basic unit of an element that
can enter into chemical combination. Dalton imagined an atom that was both extremely small and
indivisible. However, a series of investigation that began in the 1850s and extended into the twentieth
century clearly demonstrated that atoms actually possess internal structure; that is they are made up
of even smaller particles, which are called subatomic particles. This research led to the discovery of
three such particles- electrons, protons and neutrons.
Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Electron: negatively charged particles denoted by e-
Proton: positively charged particles in the nucleus of

an atom denoted by p+
Neutron: electrically neutral particles denoted by n0
Source: modernbiochemistry.weebly.com
ATOMIC SYMBOL, ATOMIC NUMBER AND MASS NUMBER
- Each element in the periodic table of elements

has its own atomic symbol, which is represented q
by either a capital letter or a capital letter with
one or two lowercase letters.
- An atom of a particular element has a unique

atomic number written as a left subscript of the
atomic symbol. The mass number, which is equal
to the sum of protons (p) and neutrons (n) in the
atom, is written as a left superscript.
A= p + n or A= Z + n
- Another representation is to write the element’s name followed by a hyphen and the mass
number. E.g. considering the three naturally occurring isotopes of carbon: C-12, C-13 and C-14
- The number of neutrons can be calculated by subtracting the number of protons from the
mass number.
n= A – Z
- The charge (q) is obtained by subtracting the number of electrons from the number of
protons.
q= p – e
A normal atom has a neutral charge with equal numbers of positive and negative particles.
That means an atom with a neutral charge is one where number of electrons is equal to the
atomic number. Ions are atoms with extra electrons or missing electrons. Extra electron gives
an atom a negative charge.
POLARITY OF MOLECULES
Molecules have shapes that affect their reactivity. Based upon a molecule’s shape and the
electronegativities of the bonded elements, we can predict if a molecule is nonpolar or polar (does or
does not have a symmetric electron density)
*Polarity
1. A bond is polar if one atom in the bond is more electronegative than the other.
(electronegativity is the ability to attract electrons).
Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
2. Polar molecules are molecules in which the charge is not distributed symmetrically among the
atoms making up the molecule, has poles -- a positive and negative pole to be exact.
3. Polarity of molecule is dependent on the presence of polar bonds and shape of the molecule.
*Bond Polarity
ΔEN (electronegativity difference) between 2 atoms determines the polarity of the bond- greater the
difference, the more polar the bond
Figure 1. Electronegativities of the different elements
Figure 2. Electronegativity Difference, ΔEN chart
*Polar Covalent bonds

Bond in which unequal sharing of electrons exists, Electrons spend most of their time closer to one
nucleus than the other
For Example
The delta negative(𝛿 −) means Chlorine (Cl) is more

electronegative than H or the electrons spend more time around
Cl, leaving H slightly positive(𝛿 +)
*Dipole moment- a dipole is when one side of a bond has a greater electron density than the other
Direction of arrow= more electronegative
DETERMINING THE POLARITY OF A MOLECULE

Even a molecule with polar bonds may NOT be polar. Existence of a polar bond in a molecule does
not necessarily mean the molecule is polar, if the dipole moments cancel out (also must consider
symmetry)
Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
Nonpolar molecule- either has nonpolar bonds or polar bonds whose dipoles cancel to zero
(symmetrical)
Polar molecule- has polar bonds with dipoles that do not cancel to zero (asymmetrical)
Example: CO2 is a nonpolar molecule, but each C=O bond is polar
• ΔEN of bond between C and O, Subtracting 3.5 – 2.5 results to 1.0.
• From Figure 2 chart, 1.0 falls under “Polar”(so type of bond is polar)
Polar • However O is more electronegative than C and since it’s a linear
molecule these dipoles cancel each other out so the whole molecule
itself is “Nonpolar”
To determine whether a molecule is polar, you first need to determine if the bonds between the
atoms are polar. Next, you use VSEPR, valence shell electron pair repulsion theory, to predict the
shape of the molecule. Some shapes will cause the dipoles to cancel out, much as in an even-
sided tug-of-war. Some shapes will be asymmetrical, and the dipoles will not cancel out.
KEY CONCEPTS
*VSEPR SHAPES - Generally shapes with no lone pairs will cancel each other out with Trigonal
bipyramidal-linear as an exception.
Lone pair of electrons
Central atom
Bonded atom
I. For Linear and Trigonal Planar shapes, if the atoms surrounding the central atoms are identical, the
dipole moments will cancel each other out and so the molecules will be nonpolar same thing for
Tetrahedral, Trigonal bipyramid, Octahedral and Octahedral square planar.
Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
SHAPE AND POLARITY

These shapes are Symmetrical
1. Linear
If the atoms attached to
2. Trigonal Planar
the central atom are
3. Tetrahedral
identical, the dipoles will
4. Trigonal bipyramidal
cancel out = NONPOLAR
5. Octahedral
MOLECULE
6. Square planar
SAMPLE PROBLEM
1. Is NH3 polar or nonpolar?
STEPS:
1. Draw the Lewis Dot Structure.
There are a total of 8 electrons in NH3,

6 electrons were distributed as shown
from step no.1 “b”
Deduct these 6 electrons from the

total number of electrons and you will
have 2 remaining electrons
Hydrogen follows 2 electrons as octet

and Nitrogen should have 8 electrons
to make it stable
2. Determine if the bonds are polar.
Bonds= Polar
From the ΔEN chart= 0.84 falls under

polar
Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
3. Determine its shape.

a. If dipoles are asymmetrical then it is polar
b. If dipoles are symmetrical then it is nonpolar
Steric number= total number of

atoms and lone pairs surrounding
the central atom
Trigonal Pyramidal= Polar

Physical Science
Tel. Nos.: (+6374) 442-3316, 442-8220; 444-2786;
REFERENCES:
LibreTexts Libraries. (June 6,2019). Geometry of Molecules. Retrieved from
https://chem.libretexts.org/Bookshelves/Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry_Textbook_Maps/
Supplemental_Modules_(Physical_and_Theoretical_Chemistry)/Chemical_Bonding/Lewis_Theory_of_B
onding/Geometry_of_Molecules
mrtangextrahelp. (February 19, 2016). Molecular Shape and Polarity. Retrieved from
https://www.slideshare.net/mrtangextrahelp/09-polarity-2016

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Physical Science

Governor Pack Road, Baguio City, Philippines 2600

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

2 POLARITY OF MOLECULES AND MOLECULAR GEOMETRY

Development of the Atom

The Atomic Structure

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

Electron: negatively charged particles denoted by e-

Proton: positively charged particles in the nucleus of

Neutron: electrically neutral particles denoted by n0

ATOMIC SYMBOL, ATOMIC NUMBER AND MASS NUMBER

- Each element in the periodic table of elements

- An atom of a particular element has a unique

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

Figure 1. Electronegativities of the different elements

Figure 2. Electronegativity Difference, ΔEN chart

*Polar Covalent bonds

The delta negative(𝛿 −) means Chlorine (Cl) is more

Direction of arrow= more electronegative

DETERMINING THE POLARITY OF A MOLECULE

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

Lone pair of electrons

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

SHAPE AND POLARITY

1. Is NH3 polar or nonpolar?

1. Draw the Lewis Dot Structure.

There are a total of 8 electrons in NH3,

Deduct these 6 electrons from the

Hydrogen follows 2 electrons as octet

2. Determine if the bonds are polar.

From the ΔEN chart= 0.84 falls under

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

3. Determine its shape.

Steric number= total number of

Trigonal Pyramidal= Polar

MODULE 2 – Phy Sci Subject Teacher:

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