Is Nitrate Polar or Non-Polar? Understanding Molecular Properties and Solubility

  • Thread starter Thread starter Shehryar1
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Polarity
AI Thread Summary
Nitrate is a trigonal planar molecule that exhibits resonance, which distributes its negative charge across the structure, leading to a debate about its polarity. While some argue it is non-polar due to this symmetry and charge distribution, others point to its solubility in water as an indicator of polarity. The discussion highlights that solubility in water is influenced by factors such as hydrogen bonding and entropy, which contribute to the thermodynamic favorability of dissolution. The presence of charged ions, like Na+, also plays a role in solubility, despite not being polar in the traditional sense. Overall, the conversation emphasizes the complexity of determining polarity and solubility in molecular chemistry.
Shehryar1
Messages
2
Reaction score
0
Is nitrate a polar or non-polar molecule? I understand that it has a trigonal planer shape (and therefore it has symmetry) but should we also consider the double bond (do multiple bonds destroy symmetry)? I assume it would be polar because it is SOLUBLE in WATER, however, after viewing many links online, many people say it is non-polar
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
Resonance distributes the negative charge, so it's not constrained to any oxygen in particular. This makes the entire outside negative, so there's no polarity.
 
Solubility

Oh okay, but why is it soluble in water?
 
It's not polar, but it's still charged. Why are singular ions soluble in water? Na+ on its own isn't polar, but it's very soluble.
 
hydrogen bonding and entropy effects contribute to the Gibbs free energy of the process of dissolution. Its thermodynamically favorable for it to dissolve, and there is also a kinetic pathway available. What more could one want ? :)
 

Thread 'Humidity of a saturated NaCl solution with anticaking additive'

I want to test a humidity sensor with one or more saturated salt solutions. The table salt that I have on hand contains one of two anticaking agents, calcium silicate or sodium aluminosilicate. Will the presence of either of these additives (or iodine for that matter) significantly affect the equilibrium humidity? I searched and all the how-to-do-it guides did not address this question. One research paper I found reported that at 1.5% w/w calcium silicate increased the deliquescent point by...
View full post »

Thread 'Why does having 8 valence electrons make an element inert?'

I was introduced to the Octet Rule recently and make me wonder, why does 8 valence electrons or a full p orbital always make an element inert? What is so special with a full p orbital? Like take Calcium for an example, its outer orbital is filled but its only the s orbital thats filled so its still reactive not so much as the Alkaline metals but still pretty reactive. Can someone explain it to me? Thanks!!
View full post »

Thread 'Resists for etching Aluminium with NaOH'

I'm trying to find a cheap DIY method to etch holes of various shapes through 0.3mm Aluminium sheet using 5-10% Sodium Hydroxide. The idea is to apply a resist to the Aluminium then selectively ablate it off using a diode laser cutter and then dissolve away the Aluminium using Sodium Hydroxide. By cheap I mean resists costing say £20 in small quantities. The Internet has suggested various resists to try including... Enamel paint (only survived seconds in the NaOH!) Acrylic paint (only...
View full post »

Similar threads

I need help understanding intermolecular forces
Replies
3
Views
2K
Non polar molecule with polar bonds?
Replies
34
Views
4K
Why are non-polar molecules attracted to each other?
Replies
3
Views
7K
Solubility of Non polar substances in water
Replies
6
Views
3K
What makes a Molecule Polar? Dipole?
Replies
7
Views
17K
I Non-locality by memory (Jung, 2020) applied to stochastic mechanics
Replies
5
Views
1K
Solubility in water -- High school chemistry
Replies
5
Views
2K
I EM Radiation of "Permanent" Molecular Electric Dipoles
Replies
1
Views
2K
Questions about molecular forces and shapes
Replies
1
Views
14K
Confusion with molecular geometry [carbon tetrachloride]
Replies
2
Views
5K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top