Final answer:
CO₂ is a nonpolar molecule due to its linear geometry and the cancellation of the dipoles from the equal and opposite polar bonds between carbon and oxygen. The dipoles cancel out, leading to no overall molecular polarity.
Step-by-step explanation:
Carbon dioxide (CO₂) is a nonpolar molecule despite having polar bonds. This is because CO₂ has a linear molecular geometry where the carbon atom is in the center with two oxygen atoms at opposite ends. The polar bonds between carbon and each oxygen feature dipoles due to the oxygen's greater electronegativity. However, these dipoles are of equal strength and directly opposite to each other, effectively canceling out and resulting in no net dipole in the molecule. Therefore, CO₂'s molecular geometry ensures that it is nonpolar. By contrast, molecules like water (H₂O) have a bent structure due to the lone pairs on the oxygen, leading to a non-cancelled dipole moment and a polar character.