Polarity of Molecules: Lecture Notes

These flashcards cover key concepts related to the polarity of molecules, including definitions, bond types, and factors influencing molecular polarity.

What defines the polarity of a molecule?

The polarity of a molecule is determined by the distribution of electrons and the geometric shape of the molecule.

What is electronegativity?

Electronegativity is the tendency of an atom to attract shared electrons.

What is an ionic bond?

An ionic bond forms when electrons are either transferred or unevenly shared between atoms, creating charged ions.

What is a covalent bond?

A covalent bond forms when atoms share electrons between themselves.

What is a polar molecule?

A polar molecule is a covalent molecule that has a dipole due to uneven sharing of electrons.

What is a nonpolar molecule?

A nonpolar molecule is a covalent molecule that has no dipole due to even distribution of electrons.

What causes a dipole in a molecule?

A dipole is caused by partial positive and negative charges due to uneven sharing of electrons in a covalent bond.

How can you predict the polarity of a molecule?

The polarity can be predicted by using the electronegativity difference of the elements and analyzing the geometric shape.

What does the geometric shape of a molecule indicate about its polarity?

The shape of a molecule, along with the presence of lone pairs, can indicate whether it is polar or nonpolar.

What happens to the electrons in a polar molecule?

In a polar molecule, the electrons are not shared equally, leading to partial charges on the atoms.