Question

Which of the following is likely to be a polar compound?

A. CHCl3

B. CCl4

C. CO2

D. CH4

Answer 1

A) CHCl3

Step-by-step explanation:

Polarity arises due to the difference in the electronegativity between two atoms forming a chemical bond. This difference also creates a dipole. A molecule is said to be polar if it has a net dipole moment. In symmteric molecules the dipole moments tend to cancel out making them non-polar.

A) CHCl3 is a tetrahedral molecule in which the central C atom is bonded to 3 Cl and 1 H atom. This molecule is not symmteric since there are 3 C-Cl and C-H bonds. Therefore, it will have a net dipole and will be polar

B) CCl4 is also a tetrahedral molecule, but symmetric in nature. Hence it will be non-polar

C) CO2 is a linear molecule where the dipole moments cancel out making it non-polar

C) CH4 is also a tetrahedral molecule and symmetric in nature. Hence it will be non-polar

Answer 2

I think the correct answer from the choices listed above is option A. CHCl3 most likely would be the polar compound. Two of the chlorine atoms that are opposite each other will cancel their pull, but the chlorine that is opposite to the hydrogen will pull more and the molecule will have a dipole in the direction of chlorine since the pull is not sufficiently offset by the hydrogen.