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Ch.10 - Chemical Bonding II: Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory
Chapter 10, Problem 52

Determine whether each molecule is polar or nonpolar. a. SiCl4 b. CF2Cl2 c. SeF6 d. IF5

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Key Concepts

Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.

Molecular Geometry

Molecular geometry refers to the three-dimensional arrangement of atoms within a molecule. The shape of a molecule significantly influences its polarity, as it determines how bond dipoles (the separation of charge due to differences in electronegativity) are oriented in space. Common geometries include linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, and octahedral, each affecting the overall dipole moment of the molecule.
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Electronegativity

Electronegativity is a measure of an atom's ability to attract and hold onto electrons in a chemical bond. Differences in electronegativity between bonded atoms can lead to polar covalent bonds, where electrons are shared unequally. Understanding the electronegativity values of the atoms involved helps predict the polarity of the bonds and, consequently, the overall polarity of the molecule.
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Dipole Moment

The dipole moment is a vector quantity that represents the separation of positive and negative charges in a molecule. It is calculated as the product of the charge and the distance between the charges. A molecule is considered polar if it has a net dipole moment, meaning that the individual bond dipoles do not cancel out due to the molecule's geometry, resulting in an uneven distribution of electron density.
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