Molecular Polarity

AMO#2: Bond Polarity

Determine the type of bond that will be
formed between atoms. Rank the pairs
according to increasing polarity.
Lowest: 1 ; Highest: 5
Electronegativity Type of Bond Rank
difference

Ca – Cl

C–S

Se – P

C–O

K–F
Polar vs. Non-Polar Molecules
Polarity in molecules determines
whether or not electrons in that
molecule are shared equally.
When determining the polarity of a
molecule, it is all about symmetry.
Asymmetric molecules tend to be
polar.
Symmetric molecules are always
nonpolar.
When determining the polarity of
a molecule, follow these steps:
Draw the Lewis Dot Structure of the
molecule following its geometrical shape.
Using the electronegativity chart, determine
the difference in electronegativity for each
bond.
EN DIFFERENCE TYPE OF BOND
0 - 0.4 Nonpolar Covalent
0.5 – 1.7 Polar Covalent
< 1.8 Ionic
 ELECTRONEGATIVITY
(EN)

the ability of
chemically combined
atoms to attract e- to
themselves
ELECTRONEGATIVITY
(EN)
Determine the type of bond that will be
formed between atoms. Which is more
polar? Least polar? Support your
answer by calculating the EN difference
in each pair.
C–H
O–S
P–N
Na – Cl
 TRUE LOVE
“For GOD so loVed the world,
that HE gAve
HIS onLy
begottEn
SON,
That whoever
believes In HIM
should Not perish
but have Eternal life.” - John
3:16
 Dipole Moment
shows the direction of the polar bond in a
molecule
arrow points toward the more
electronegative atom
creates a partial charge represented by δ

 + H Cl
 -
 Dipole Moments
Dipole Moments (μ) - a quantitative
measure of the polarity of a bond.
μ = Q x r = charge x distance (distance
is in meters)
Dipole moment units are called Debye
Bond dipole moment is a vector
quantity – it has a magnitude and
direction.
Net dipole moment = vector sum of all
bond moments
 The molecule is non-polar if :
each bond in the molecule has the
same polarity and there are no
lone pairs on the central atom,
creating a symmetry
there is only one type of atom
attached to the central atom
there is no net dipole moment (all
dipole moments are cancelled out
as it points toward opposite
directions)
 Nonpolar Molecules
dipole moments are symmetrical
and cancel out each other
-
F

BF3
B
+
F F -
-
 Rules for determining
whether a molecule is polar:
A molecule that is symmetrical is
nonpolar.
 Rules for determining
whether a molecule is polar:
A molecule that is symmetrical is
nonpolar.
 The molecule is polar if:

each bond in the molecule is polar

and there are lone pairs on the
central atom, creating asymmetry
more than one type of atom is
attached to the central atom
there is a net dipole moment
(the dipole moments point
towards a particular direction)
 Polar Molecules
dipole moments are asymmetrical
and don’t cancel each other
molecule has a net dipole moment
net
dipole
H2O moment

-
H H
+ +
 Rules for determining
whether a molecule is polar:
A molecule with more than one type of
atom attached to the central atom is
often asymmetrical and therefore polar.
net
dipole
moment
 Rules for determining
whether a molecule is polar:
An asymmetrical molecule is polar
if the bonds are polar.
+
net
dipole
moment
+

- - -
 Rules for determining
whether a molecule is polar:
A central atom with lone pair is often
asymmetrical and polar.
net
dipole
moment

H2O
H H
Determining Molecular Polarity
Depends on:
–dipole moments
–molecular shape
Polar Bonds vs. Polar Molecules
The effect of polar bonds on the
polarity of the entire molecule depends
on the molecule shape
– carbon dioxide has two polar bonds and
is linear but it’s a nonpolar molecule

- -
+
Polar Bonds vs. Polar Molecules
The effect of polar bonds on the
polarity of the entire molecule depends
on the molecule shape.
– water has two polar bonds and a bent shape;
the highly electronegative oxygen pulls the e -
away from H so it’s a polar molecule
Polar Bonds vs. Polar Molecules
Therefore, polar molecules have...
– asymmetrical shape (lone pairs) or
– asymmetrical atoms

H net
dipole
moment
CHCl3
Cl Cl
Cl
 GROUP ACTIVITY #1:
In ½ crosswise:
Identify: Polar or Non Polar Molecule
Draw bond dipole, then net dipole moment
(if applicable) and show partial charges.
Identify the molecular geometry.

(Write CN with Surname – arrange in

alphabetical order)