POLAR/NON POLAR

[Ciella Hatfield-Burke 1H]

How do you determine whether or not the dipoles cancel and if the molecule is a cis- or trans-?

[Lilly Lin 1L]

the molecule is cis if the dipole moments are on the same side of the molecule, and trans if they are on opposite sides.

[704628249]

I find that the easiest way is to draw them out to see if they cancel. Also a general rule of thumb is that if the atoms are symmetric around a central atom, then the dipole moments do cancel (such as in a trigonal planar model). Also, cis is if the dipoles are on the same side of the molecule. Trans is when they lie opposite to each other. Hope this helps!