When can a tetrahedral be non polar? [ENDORSED]

[Isabelle Bautista 3H]

Can a molecule with a tetrahedral shape only be non-polar when all 4 surrounding atoms are the same?

[Ethan Mondell 1A]

If all four surrounding atoms are the same in a tetrahedral, then the molecule will always be nonpolar. The only exception is if for some reason one or more of the surrounding atoms had a lone pair.

[Gobinder Pandher 3J]

Yes, Ethan is correct. Also remember the same goes for linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, square planar, trigonal bipyramidal, and octahedral configurations. Make sure all the binding atoms are the same!!

[Isaiah Little 1A 14B]

A symmetrical molecule cannot be polar, regardless if the bonds within the molecule are polar or not.

[Daniel Vo 1B]

Remember that since the placement of the atoms around the central atom will affect the polarity if it includes different electornegativies; some compounds can have both a polar and nonpolar configuration based on how the peripheral atoms are arranged.