Polar vs Non Polar

[106036120]

How would you be able to determine if a molecule is polar if there are multiple lewis structure possible?

For example: CH2Cl2 has a lewis structure with the chlorine atoms next to each other and another lewis structure with the chlorine atoms opposite of each other.

[mact14a 1D]

Hi! so for this it is important to look at shape of the molecule. The shape is tetrahedral so the if there are two polar bonds they will not be directly across from each other therefore will not cancel. The shape will have one of the Cl directly above the central C since the Cl is more electronegative and it will not have the other Cl directly across from it making it so the shape is still polar.

[006248274]

Hi! So yes, technically when placed on a flat plane like that ti could lead to confusion, but when seeing it in 3D, the whole structure changes and no matter where the Cl's are placed, they will cancel. Since its tetrahedral no matter where the Chlorines are placed