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5 votes
Which formula represents a nonpolar molecule?
(1) H2S (3) CH4
(2) HCl (4) NH3

2 Answers

5 votes

Answer: option 3, CH₄.

Step-by-step explanation:

1) A molecule is polar if and only if at least one bond is polar and the polar bonds are not symmetrically distributed around the center of the molecule.

2) CH₄ has four C-H bonds symmetrically distributed arond the C atom, so it is not possible for it to be polar, which is what answers the question.

3) The bonds in H₂S are not symmetrical distributed around the S atom, because S has two additional pair of non-bonding electrons which bends the molecule, so it is polar.

4) HCl is polar since there is one only H-Cl bond which is polar because the difference in the electronegativities of the H and Cl.

5) NH₃ is polar because the N atom has an additional pair of non bonding electrons, which bends the molecule.


User Luispauloml
by
9.0k points
5 votes
The answer is (3) CH4. CH4 has a symmetric distribution of charge, making it nonpolar. The others all have asymmetric charge distributions.
User Merly
by
7.6k points
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