polar v nonpolar molecules

[Danielle DIS2L]

How would you differentiate polar and nonpolar molecules?

[705512695]

Non polar molecules are symmetric while polar molecules are asymmetric. Polar molecules have a electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. while Nonpolar molecules electrons are shared equal between atoms.

[AdilaAhmed3I]

So an easy way to determine polarity is by seeing is the molecule is "balanced" or "lopsided". If it is a molecule like CCl4 where all the atoms surrounding the C are Cl, it is balanced and nonpolar. This is because the electronegativity between the Cl and C (the Cl-C bond) are the same all the way around the atom.
If it was a molecule like CH3Cl, it would be polar because there is a different electronegativity which would alter the dipole moments. The C-Cl bond has a different electronegativity than the C-H bond so it is "lopsided" and polar.

[Taha 2D]

Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. Nonpolar molecules occur when electrons are shared equal between atoms of a diatomic molecule or when polar bonds in a larger molecule cancel each other out.

[Annie Tong 2G]

Polarity depends on the electronegativity difference present between two bonded atoms in a molecule. A dipole will form and the molecule will gain partial positive and negative charges. If a molecule has certain areas with high dipole moments and other areas with low dipole moments, and those moments are distributed unevenly, it's polar.

[Mina Tadros 3L]

Polar molecules are molecules that have dipoles that do not cancel. Nonpolar molecules have dipoles that do cancel. Also, if there are differences in electronegativity because the atoms bound to the central atom are not uniform, then it will be a polar molecule.

[Maryeli Garay 2H]

If you want to tell by just looking at a structure I’d say look for symmetry. Nonpolar molecules are symmetric and polar molecules are asymmetric.

[Jaden Ji 2K]

Polar molecules are often asymmetric and consequently have dipole moments that do not cancel out, while nonpolar molecules are symmetrical which causes the dipole moments to cancel each other out.

[Sydney Jensen 3L]

When there is a large electronegativity difference, then the molecule would be considered polar. The most electronegative elements are fluorine, oxygen, and nitrogen

[Megan ODonnell 3F]

Usually I first try to determine through symmetry, if the shape of the molecule and the bond angles are the same throughout, it is most likely nonpolar. However compare and contrast the bonded atoms to the central atom, an atom with a fluorine bonded on one side and a hydrogen bonded on the other side, even if symmetrical in shape will have stronger dipole movement toward the fluorine and thus be polar.

[Gabriel Nitro 1E]

Hi,

Polar molecules tend to have polar bonds which are in an asymmetric molecule, while nonpolar molecules either have only nonpolar bonds or have polar bonds which cancel out.

Hope this helps! :)

[Mari Williams 1K]

Polar molecules have polar bonds whose dipoles do NOT cancel out, while nonpolar molecules either have all nonpolar bonds or polar bonds that do cancel each other out.

[Juwan_Madaki_3K]

I know that Professor Lavelle said we wouldn't be drawing vectors, but I still use them to determine if something is polar or nonpolar. A polar molecule's vectors/dipoles DON'T cancel and a non polar molecule's dipoles/vectors DO cancel. I also look at the electronegativity values to help. Typically, a non polar molecules' electronegativity difference is .4 and less. However, in the case that we aren't provided with an electronegativity chart, I would stick to looking at dipoles/vectors.

[Annette Fishman]

Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms, whereas nonpolar molecules occur when electrons are shared equal between atoms of a diatomic molecule or when polar bonds in a larger molecule cancel each other out.

[Jason Knight - 1F]

Polar molecules are present when there is an electronegativity difference amongst the bonded atoms. For example, Ammonia is a polar molecule because there is a difference in the electronegativity between the atoms. Non-polar molecules have no charge and no difference in electronegativity.

[apurva-3E]

Calculate the polarity vectors and see if they cancel out. Must draw lewis structure.

[Lorena_Morales_1K]

How would you differentiate polar and nonpolar molecules?

Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. Nonpolar molecules occur when electrons are shared equal between atoms of a diatomic molecule or when polar bonds in a larger molecule cancel each other out.

[Yolanda_Xing_3A]

polar molecules are usually symmetrical while non polar isn't

[305614361]

Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. Nonpolar molecules occur when electrons are shared equally between atoms of a diatomic molecule or when polar bonds in a larger molecule cancel each other out

[Emma_Barrall_3J]

If there is a net dipole moment, the molecule is polar.

[Jaclyn Schwartz 1I]

non-polar molecules are symmetrical and have no dipole movement. Polar molecule are non-symmetrical and have dipole movement.

[Yuehan_Wu_3K]

Non polar molecules are symmetric with no unshared electrons. Polar molecules are asymmetric, either containing lone pairs of electrons on a central atom or having atoms with different electronegativities bonded.

[Queena Chu 3E]

Polar compounds have a net dipole as a result of polar bonds that are arranged asymmetrically. Nonpolar compounds can either entirely share their electrons, or they can have symmetrical polar bonds that end up canceling out any sort of net dipole.

[Shalyn Kelly 3H]

Hi! If you're having trouble remembering which one is symmetrical, I use:
Assuming symmetrical is the norm: polar molecules are typically asymmetrical, so I think of how they like to be "different" or have "polarizing opinions" hence the asymmetrical shape; nonpolar molecules are symmetrical, so I think of how they like to remain neutral (dipoles cancel out) and don't like to cause a fuss, hence the nonpolar aspect.
If this makes sense to you, I hope it helps.

[Madeline Marron 1I]

This was super duper helpful, thank you guys!

[Arnav Saud 2C]

The main thing when looking at these kinds of molecules is to figure out what atoms are bonded to each other, and potential dipole moments. Generally, if a molecule is not asymmetric and the atoms bonded to the central atom are different, then the molecule is polar.
An example of each is H2O with its bent angular formation, which causes it to be polar.
Another example is CCl4 and CCl3H. CCl4 is nonpolar while CCl3H is polar because the dipole moments are not canceled out.

[Bai Rong Lin 2K]

How would you differentiate polar and nonpolar molecules?

One of the most common way to differentiate the two is its electronegativity between the bonding molecules.

[Joshua Chung 2D]

First, you gotta determine the differences in electronegativity between the individual atoms. If none exist or if they cancel each other out, then the molecule is nonpolar. If there is a noticeable direction of electronegativity difference, then the molecule is polar.

[Susan Chamling 1F]

Polar molecules are when the bonded atoms have an electro negativity difference and asymmetry is observed where dipole forces are not canceled out. On the other hand nonpolar molecules are when electrons are shared equally among the atoms of the molecule or when the dipole forces cancel one another out.

[Maddie Turk Disc 2J]

Is the rule that nonpolar molecules are symmetric and polar molecules are asymmetric always true or are there exceptions?

[apurva-3E]

So you want to determine the molecular shape using VSEPR geometry and identify how electronegative elements are arranged. This can give you a glimpse into whether a compound is polar or not.