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 factor contributes to the polarity of a water molecule?

The bent shape of the molecule

The equal sharing of electrons between hydrogen and oxygen

The presence of nonpolar covalent bonds

The linear shape of the molecule

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Verified step by step guidance

Understand that polarity in a molecule arises from the distribution of electrical charge across the molecule, which is influenced by both the shape of the molecule and the electronegativity of its atoms.

Recognize that water (H₂O) is composed of two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. Oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen, meaning it attracts the shared electrons in the covalent bonds more strongly.

Consider the molecular geometry of water. Water has a bent shape due to the two lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen atom, which repel the hydrogen atoms and create an angle of about 104.5 degrees between the hydrogen-oxygen bonds.

Analyze how the bent shape of the water molecule contributes to its polarity. The unequal sharing of electrons and the bent shape result in a partial negative charge near the oxygen atom and a partial positive charge near the hydrogen atoms, creating a dipole moment.

Conclude that the bent shape of the water molecule, combined with the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen, is the primary factor contributing to the polarity of the water molecule.