Molecular Polarity ! ⭐

how do you determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar?

• if all the bonds are polar or non-polar

• is it symmetrical or asymmetrical

non-polar molecules

• no net dipole charge

• symmetrical in opposite directions

  • net dipole will cancel out because symmetry

polar molecules

• have a net dipole charge

• asymmtrical

• dipole will point towards the element with a higher electronegativity value

• central atoms with lone pairs are polar

molecular polarity flow chart

• always Polar

  • bent

  • trigonal pyramidal

• lone pairs on central atoms = asymmetrical

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• polar or non-polar

  • linear

  • tetrahedral

  • trigonal planar

• symmetric or asymmetric

• polarity depends if the surrounding atoms have really different