VSEPR- Polar vs Nonpolar

[Samantha Pacheco 2K]

How do we determine whether the VSEPR model will be polar or nonpolar? Is it only based on symmetry?

[Swetha Ampabathina1I]

If the charge distribution of the VSEPR model is symmetric then it is nonpolar, but if it is not symmetric then it would be polar

[Danny Elias Dis 1E]

Also, molecules will be nonpolar if they are diatomic, whether they are VSEPR or not.

[Harshita Talkad 4L]

A molecule is nonpolar if its atoms have the same electronegativity or if the dipole moments cancel each other out, and it is polar when the dipole moments do not cancel out.

[LeannaPhan14BDis1D]

are there any more exceptions to the rule of polar and nonpolar with the vespr?

[Julia Lee]

If you draw in the dipole moments (with the arrows) for all elements within a molecule and all dipole moments cancel each other out, than the molecule is nonpolar. If the dipole moments do not cancel each other out, than the molecule is polar. Also professor Lavelle described it in lecture that if a molecule has a preference in orientation when bonding w/ a cation or anion, than it is polar. If it doesn't have a preference in orientation when binding, than it is nonpolar. So when determining polarity of a molecule, it is very helpful to draw out the lewis structure of the molecule and draw in the dipole moments.