Question

In aluminium chloride, the Al-Cl bonds are polar, but the molecule as a whole is nonpolar. How can this be?

Answer 1

Answer: AlCl3 forms a trigonal planar lewis structure and the dipole moments of the bonds cancel each other out.

Explanation: Even though the individual bonds are polar the shape of the molecule and the angle of the bonds cause the dipole moments to cancel resulting in a non polar molecule.