Achieve Week 8 question

(Polar molecules, Non-polar molecules, etc.)

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Joseph Dekel 1F
Posts: 93
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 10:54 am

Achieve Week 8 question

Postby Joseph Dekel 1F » Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:23 pm

The last question of Achieve Week 8 Homework asks if an (AsO4)^3- ion is polar or non-polar and the correct answer is "polar". I understand that it has a tetrahedral shape which is symmetrical, but it literally has a charge of -3 which is built up on the oxygens with the single bond, so there is a clear dipole meaning that it is polar. Could somebody please explain why this explanation is wrong and why the correct answer is "polar"?
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Alejandro_Franco_3B
Posts: 84
Joined: Fri Sep 29, 2023 11:38 am

Re: Achieve Week 8 question

Postby Alejandro_Franco_3B » Sat Dec 09, 2023 4:58 pm

The (AsO4)^3- ion is non-polar. The dipoles of polar bonds (As-O) cancel out because of the symmetrical tetrahedral shape of the molecule.


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