Question

For molecules with multiple bonds, shape

and the contributions of all bonds must be
considered.
CO2 has 2 polar bonds.
But CO2
is linear and the
bonds point in opposite
directions.
Their polarities __ __so the molecule
is nonpolar.

Answer 1

Linear molecules with multiple bonds can be nonpolar if the bond_dipole moments cancel each other out due to the molecule's symmetry, as seen in CO2, while asymmetrical molecules like H2O are polar.

Step-by-step explanation:

For molecules with multiple bonds, the molecular shape can be linear and the molecule nonpolar under certain conditions. This is dependent on the molecular geometry and the distribution of electron groups around the central atom, based on VSEPR theory.

A molecule with only two atoms, or a molecule whose central atom has two electron groups oriented 180° apart, will have a linear shape. An example is carbon dioxide (CO2): has a central carbon atom with two polar carbon-oxygen double bonds that are situated opposite to each other. Because of the molecule's symmetry, the bond_dipole moments cancel out, resulting in a nonpolar molecule. Another similar example is beryllium hydride (BeH2).

By contrast, molecules like water (H2O) have a bent shape due to the lone pairs of electrons on the oxygen, preventing the bond_dipole moments from canceling and thus making H2O a polar molecule.