Polar vs nonpolar

[Sophia Tran 1B]

If we're not given the electronegativity, how do we determine if a bond is polar or nonpolar?

[alishadhanantwari_2F]

Hello. The symmetry or asymmetry of a molecule is important in determining if a molecule is polar. Symmetrical molecules, such as carbon dioxide, typically have their dipoles cancel out due to their shape. In CO2, the two polar bonds are oriented 180 degrees apart, which results in no net dipole moment, making the molecule nonpolar. Asymmetrical molecules, such as water, have shapes that do not allow the dipoles to cancel. For water, the bent shape leads to a net dipole moment pointing towards the oxygen atom, resulting in a polar molecule. Lone pairs of electrons on the central atom can also affect molecular shape and therefore polarity.