VSEPR and Polarity

[HuyHa_2H]

Just for confirmation, what do you generally look at in a VSEPR model to determine polarity of a molecule?

[Naneeta Desar 1K]

You can look at the symmetry of the atoms in order to determine polarity.

[Gerald Bernal1I]

You look for which atoms are electronegative and see where they are placed in order to see if their dipoles cancel out or make the molecule polar.

[Emma Popescu 1L]

If one atom is more electronegative than the other, there will be a dipole moment. Although the bonds are polar, the molecule will not if the shape is symmetrical causing the dipoles to cancel out.

[Kayla Maldonado 1C]

Polar molecules are asymmetrical in electronegativity and the geometry or formation. Asymmetrical electronegativity meaning there is an atom with a partial positive charge surrounding an atom with a partial negative charge with an electronegativity difference of 0.5-1.6. Asymmetrical formation assures that the symmetry of the bonds don't cancel out the asymmetry of the electronegativity.