Determine if the compound of BCl 2 F is polar or nonpolar.

Here in this practice question, we need to determine if the molecule of bcl2f is polar or nonpolar. When it comes to drawn Lewis dot structures, we place the least electronegative element in the center. So in this case, it would be the boron. Boron is in group 3 a, so it has 3 valence electrons. Remember halogens, so those elements in group 7 a, when they're not in the center only make single bonds. So Fluorine, which is in group 7 a, will make a single bond to the boron, and the chlorines, which are also in group 7 a, will also make a single bond with boron. If we take a look here, we'd say that our central element is not connected to the same surrounding elements. And because of that, it's violating the potential of a perfect shape one because it doesn't have loan payers. So it doesn't have a perfect shape and as a result, it's going to be a polar molecule. So b c l two f represents a polar molecule because the surrounding elements are different.

Table of contents

Skip topic navigation

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

Previous problemNext problem

Struggling with General Chemistry?

Join thousands of students who trust us to help them ace their exams!Watch the first video

Multiple Choice

Determine if the compound of BCl₂F is polar or nonpolar.

polar

nonpolar

cannot be determined

Previous problemNext problem

Verified step by step guidance

Step 1: 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 across the molecule.

Step 2: Identify the molecular geometry of BCl2F. Boron typically forms three bonds, and with three substituents (two chlorine atoms and one fluorine atom), the geometry is likely trigonal planar.

Step 3: Consider the electronegativity of the atoms involved. Fluorine is more electronegative than chlorine, which means it will attract the shared electrons more strongly, creating a dipole.

Step 4: Analyze the symmetry of the molecule. In a trigonal planar geometry, if the substituents are not identical, the molecule can be polar due to the asymmetrical distribution of electron density.

Step 5: Determine the overall polarity. Since BCl2F has different atoms (Cl and F) with different electronegativities, the dipoles do not cancel out, resulting in a polar molecule.