What distinguishes polar and nonpolar compounds?

  • Thread starter Thread starter jontyjashan
  • Start date Start date
  • Tags Tags
    Compounds Polar
Click For Summary

Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the distinctions between polar and nonpolar compounds, focusing on their definitions, characteristics, and examples. Participants explore the underlying principles of electronegativity and molecular behavior in different solvents.

Discussion Character

  • Conceptual clarification
  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants suggest that the difference between polar and nonpolar compounds is primarily based on electronegativity, where a greater difference indicates polarity.
  • One participant mentions that polar compounds dissolve in water due to their polar nature, while nonpolar compounds do not.
  • Another point raised is that polar covalent bonds form when there is unequal electronegativity, leading to partial charges within the molecule.
  • It is noted that if dipoles in a molecule cancel out, the molecule is classified as nonpolar.
  • Participants express varying levels of detail regarding the characteristics of polar and nonpolar compounds, including their solubility and bond types.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on the definitions and characteristics of polar and nonpolar compounds, with multiple competing views and some ambiguity in the discussion.

Contextual Notes

Some claims about electronegativity differences and their implications for polarity are not fully substantiated, and there are unresolved aspects regarding specific examples and definitions.

jontyjashan
Messages
68
Reaction score
0
what is the difference between polar and non polar compounds
 
Chemistry news on Phys.org
One are polar, others are not?

Question is so vague that it is hard to tell what kind of information you are looking for.
 
that depends upon the electronegativity. if electronegativity of one element is greater than the other atom, then charge develops it is said polar compounds. if electronegativity is same, it is non polar
 
nshtkmar1977 said:
if electronegativity of one element is greater than the other atom, then charge develops it is said polar compounds.


Carbon tetrachloride?
 
Polor compounds list
 
Polor compounds list what?
 
Last edited by a moderator:
There are many differences between polar and non-polar compounds

Polar Compounds

-dissolve in water (because water is polar and polar liquids dissolve other polar substances)
-has an electronegetivity difference of less than 1.7
-has a polar covalent bond
-polar covalent bonds form when there is unequal electronegetivity because electrons spend their time closer to one atomic nucleus than another
-includes partial positive and partial negative bond dipoles

Non-polar compounds

-has an electronegetivity difference of 0 resulting in a non-polar covalent bond
-does not dissolve in any polar liquids such as water
-charges of electrons are distrubted symmetrically among the atoms in the molecules (no electronegetivity difference)


I hope this helps
 
Don't forget, if the dipoles
cancel out, the molecule is nonpolar.
 

Similar threads

  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
2K
  • · Replies 9 ·
Replies
9
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
2K
  • · Replies 3 ·
Replies
3
Views
1K
  • · Replies 1 ·
Replies
1
Views
2K
  • · Replies 0 ·
Replies
0
Views
2K
  • · Replies 34 ·
2
Replies
34
Views
5K
  • · Replies 2 ·
Replies
2
Views
1K