Q:
Which formula represents a nonpolar molecule?
Answer & Explanation
Answer: B) CF4
Explanation: You have to consider three things.
1. First, are the bonds polar?
Look at differences in electronegativity and if it is >0.5, bonds are polar.
2. Second, does the molecule have unshared electron pairs?
If so, they generally lead to a polar molecule.
3. Third, is the molecule symmetric?
If so, then although the bonds may be polar, the symmetry cancels out the individual bond polarity and the molecule is non polar.
CF4 follows all the rules above and has a symmetric distribution of charge, making it nonpolar. The others all have asymmetric charge distributions.
Hence, CF4 represents a Non-polar molecule.
View Answer
Report Error
Discuss