Question

Classify each of the following molecules as polar or non-polar.

a. ${\mathrm{GeH}}_2$

b. ${\mathrm{I}}_2$

c. ${\mathrm{CF}}_3\mathrm{Cl}$

d. ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$

e. ${\mathrm{BCl}}_3$

f.${\mathrm{SCl}}_2$

Short answer

a. Non-polar molecule.

b. Non-polar molecule.

c. Polar molecule.

d. Non-polar molecule.

e. Polar molecule.

f. Polar molecule.

Step-by-step solution

Part (a) Given information

To determine whether ${\mathrm{GeH}}_2$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (a) Explanation

${\mathrm{GeH}}_2$is a non-polar molecule due to the equal sharing of electrons between the atoms.

A non-polar covalent bond is a bond that is formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms.

Part (b) Given Information

To determine whether${\mathrm{I}}_2$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (b) Explanation

Iodine has a linear geometry and it is a symmetrical molecule.

It is a non-polar molecule due to the equal sharing of electrons between the atoms.

A non-polar covalent bond is a bond that is formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms.

Part (c) Given Information

To determine whether ${\mathrm{CF}}_3\mathrm{Cl}$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (c) Explanation

${\mathrm{CF}}_3\mathrm{Cl}$is composed of Carbon, Fluorine, and chlorine atoms.

It has a tetrahedral geometry and due to the difference between the electronegativity of C, Cl, and, F, it is a polar molecule.

Part (d) Given information

To determine whether ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (e) Explanation

Phosphorus pentachloride has a trigonal bipyramidal geometry.

A non-polar covalent bond is a bond that is formed when electrons are shared equally between two atoms

The dipoles present in ${\mathrm{PCl}}_5$cancel each other, making the molecule non-polar.

Part (e) Given Information

To determine whether${\mathrm{BCl}}_3$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (e) Explanation

In ${\mathrm{BCl}}_3$, the electronegativity difference between boron and chlorine results in not even sharing of electrons between a covalent bond i.e., in a B−Cl.

Thus, ${\mathrm{BCl}}_3$is a polar molecule.

Part (f) Given Information

To determine whether ${\mathrm{SCl}}_2$is a polar or non-polar molecule.

Part (f) Explanation

The polar nature of ${\mathrm{SCl}}_2$is due to its bent shape and non-symmetrical molecule which occurs due to the presence of lone pair of electrons.

There is an electronegativity difference between sulfur and chlorine atoms. Thus, making it a polar molecule.