Chemical Bonding: Polar and Nonpolar Molecules

These flashcards cover key vocabulary and concepts related to chemical bonding, focusing on polar and nonpolar molecules.

Polarity

The property of having distinct electrical poles or charges, determining the distribution of electrons in a molecule.

Polar bond

A bond where electrons are shared unequally between atoms, resulting in a molecule with a positive and negative end.

Electronegativity

The tendency of an atom to attract electrons in a chemical bond.

Nonpolar bond

A bond where electrons are shared equally between two atoms, typically involving atoms of the same element.

Polar molecule

A molecule that has a net dipole moment due to the presence of polar bonds and asymmetric geometry.

Nonpolar molecule

A molecule that does not have a net dipole moment, typically due to symmetrical arrangement of atoms and nonpolar bonds.

Symmetry in molecules

The balanced distribution of atoms that affects the polarity of a molecule.

General rule for polar molecules

Different types of atoms around a central atom will result in a polar molecule.

General rule for nonpolar molecules

Same types of atoms around a central atom will result in a nonpolar molecule.

Examples of polar molecules

H2O and NH3 are examples where the arrangement creates a net dipole moment.

Examples of nonpolar molecules

H2 and CCl4 are examples where symmetry leads to equal sharing of electrons.