Forces

General Formula

Polarity

Reason

Examples

Hydrocarbons

(C,H.)

Nonpolar

Contain only C-H bonds, which are nonpolar.

CHa (methane), C2H6 (ethane)

Diatomic

Molecules (X2)

Nonpolar

Atoms are identical, so there is no dipole moment.

Clz, O2, N2

AXz (Linear)

Nonpolar

Symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds.

COz, BeCl

AX, (Trigonal

Planar)

Nonpolar

Symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds.

BF3, AlCla

AX, (Tetrahedral)

Nonpolar

Symmetrical structure cancels out polar bonds.

CHa, CCla

AXzE (Bent)

Polar

Asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole.

SO2, NOz

AXE (Trigonal

Pyramidal)

Polar

Asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole.

NH3, PCl3

AX2E2 (Bent)

Polar

Asymmetrical shape with lone pairs creates a dipole.

H2O, H2S

HX (Hydrogen

Halides)

Polar

Large difference in

electronegativity between

H and X.

HCI, HF, HBr

Alcohols (R-OH)

Polar

Contains O-H bond, creating a strong dipole moment.

CH:OH (methanol),

C2H,OH (ethanol)

Amines (R-NH2)

Polar

Contains N-H bonds, creating a dipole moment.

CH.NH2

(methylamine),

C2H5NH2 (ethylamine)

Ketones (R-CO-R)

Polar

Contains a polar C=0 bond.

CH,COCH, (acetone)

Carboxylic Acids (R-COOH)

Polar

Contains both O-H and

C=0 bonds.

CH.COOH (acetic acid)

Noble Gases (X)

Nonpolar

Single atoms with no bonds, thus no dipole moment.

He, Ne, Ar