Forces

Polarity of Hydrocarbons (C, H)

Nonpolar; contain only C-H bonds, which are nonpolar (e.g., CH4, C2H6).

Diatomic Molecules (X2) Polarity

Nonpolar; atoms are identical, resulting in no dipole moment (e.g., Cl2, O2, N2).

AX2 (Linear) Polarity

Nonpolar; symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds (e.g., CO2, BeCl2).

AX3 (Trigonal Planar) Polarity

Nonpolar; symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds (e.g., BF3, AlCl3).

AX4 (Tetrahedral) Polarity

Nonpolar; symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds (e.g., CH4, CCl4).

AX2E (Bent) Polarity

Polar; asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole (e.g., SO2, NO2).

AXE (Trigonal Pyramidal) Polarity

Polar; asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole (e.g., NH3, PCl3).

AX2E2 (Bent) Polarity

Polar; asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole (e.g., H2O, H2S).

HX (Hydrogen Halides) Polarity

Polar; large difference in electronegativity between H and X (e.g., HCl, HF, HBr).

Alcohols (R-OH) Polarity

Polar; contains O-H bond, creating a strong dipole moment (e.g., CH3OH, C2H5OH).

Amines (R-NH2) Polarity

Polar; contains N-H bonds, creating a dipole moment (e.g., CH3NH2, C2H5NH2).

Ketones (R-CO-R) Polarity

Polar; contains a polar C=O bond (e.g., CH3COCH3).

Carboxylic Acids (R-COOH) Polarity

Polar; contains both O-H and C=O bonds (e.g., CH3COOH).

Noble Gases (X) Polarity

Nonpolar; single atoms with no bonds, thus no dipole moment (e.g., He, Ne, Ar).