Table of contents

1. Intro to General Chemistry3h 48m
2. Atoms & Elements4h 16m
3. Chemical Reactions4h 10m
4. BONUS: Lab Techniques and Procedures1h 38m
5. BONUS: Mathematical Operations and Functions48m
6. Chemical Quantities & Aqueous Reactions3h 53m
7. Gases3h 49m
8. Thermochemistry2h 37m
9. Quantum Mechanics2h 58m
10. Periodic Properties of the Elements3h 9m
11. Bonding & Molecular Structure3h 29m
12. Molecular Shapes & Valence Bond Theory1h 57m
13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces2h 23m
14. Solutions3h 1m
15. Chemical Kinetics2h 53m
16. Chemical Equilibrium2h 29m
17. Acid and Base Equilibrium5h 1m
18. Aqueous Equilibrium4h 47m
19. Chemical Thermodynamics1h 50m
20. Electrochemistry2h 42m
21. Nuclear Chemistry2h 36m
22. Organic Chemistry5h 7m
23. Chemistry of the Nonmetals2h 39m
24. Transition Metals and Coordination Compounds3h 16m

13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces

Molecular Polarity

General Chemistry

13. Liquids, Solids & Intermolecular Forces

Molecular Polarity

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Multiple Choice

Which characteristics make water a polar molecule?

Water has a tetrahedral molecular shape and a symmetrical charge distribution.

Water has a linear molecular shape and equal electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.

Water has a planar molecular shape and no difference in electronegativity between its atoms.

Water has a bent molecular shape and a difference in electronegativity between hydrogen and oxygen.

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand the concept of molecular polarity: A molecule is polar if it has a net dipole moment, which occurs when there is an uneven distribution of electron density.

Identify the molecular shape of water: Water (H₂O) has a bent molecular shape due to the two lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom, which repel the hydrogen atoms.

Consider the electronegativity of atoms: Electronegativity is the ability of an atom to attract electrons. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it pulls the shared electrons in the O-H bonds closer to itself.

Analyze the charge distribution: Due to the bent shape and the difference in electronegativity, the oxygen atom has a partial negative charge, while the hydrogen atoms have partial positive charges, creating a dipole moment.

Conclude why water is polar: The combination of the bent shape and the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen results in an asymmetrical charge distribution, making water a polar molecule.