Polar v nonPolar

[duenezjuleny1D]

How do you identify whether or not something is polar or non polar? what does it depend on?

[Ethan McCarthy 1F]

Polarity depends on the difference between the electronegativities of two atoms connected by a covalent bond. If one of the atoms (like oxygen in H₂O) has a high electronegativity, then it pulls electrons away from the atoms with a lower electronegativity (like hydrogen in this case).

[Adrianh72]

To add on to the previous reply, one needs to know an element's general electronegativity to tell whether a molecule is polar or not. The electronegativity trend is shown on the periodic table as increasing from bottom-left to top-right (with some exceptions). So if a molecule is made of atoms on opposite sides of the periodic table, it is likely polar, meaning different sides of the molecule have partial charges.

[Ayushi2011]

You can also determine polarity from structure. If the structure of the compound is symmetric in terms of distribution of elements around the central atom, it is non polar. If the compound has a charge and is asymmetric, it is polar.

[Ian Morris 3C]

To add on to the previous reply, one needs to know an element's general electronegativity to tell whether a molecule is polar or not. The electronegativity trend is shown on the periodic table as increasing from bottom-left to top-right (with some exceptions). So if a molecule is made of atoms on opposite sides of the periodic table, it is likely polar, meaning different sides of the molecule have partial charges.

Do you think we will need to know the exceptions for the midterm?