Question

Draw the Lewis structure of urea ((NH₂)₂CO) and then determine if the molecule is polar or nonpolar.

Answer 1

Urea ((NH2)2CO) has an asymmetrical structure with atoms of different electronegativities bonded to the carbon. Due to this, it has a net dipole moment and is classified as polar.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine if the molecule urea ((NH2)2CO) is polar or nonpolar, we must follow these steps:

1. Draw the Lewis structure of urea. In the structure, carbon is the central atom connected to two nitrogen atoms and one oxygen atom. The nitrogen atoms each have two hydrogens attached to them. There are also two lone pairs on the oxygen.
2. Figure out the geometry of the molecule using VSEPR theory. For urea, the carbon atom is sp2 hybridized, and the molecule has a planar geometry around the carbon atom.
3. Visualize or draw the geometry to assess the symmetry of the molecule. Urea is not a symmetrical molecule because the groups around the central carbon are not identical due to different atoms and the presence of a double bond with oxygen.

Since urea has an asymmetrical structure and the atoms bonded to carbon have different electronegativities, the molecule has a net dipole moment and is polar.