Physical Science

Quarter 3 – Module 2:
Molecular Polarity
 What I Need to Know

This learning module was designed to help the students to learn the key concepts of
molecular polarity with a focus on determining whether the molecule is polar or non-
polar. This learning module deals with determining the molecular polarity of paired
atoms based on their structure, properties, and electronegativity difference. To
further enhance the students’ learning, different learning activities are provided in
this module. The lesson is presented in an easy way in order to address the learning
difficulties of the students by using language level at par with their comprehension.
Based on the recent study, students learn more if they are actively engaged in the
textbook they are using. This learning module can help to improve the student’s
academic achievement in this subject. With this material, students can work in less
supervision of the teacher.

The module is contained one lesson.

• Lesson 1 – Molecular Polarity

The most essential learning competencies for this module.

Determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar given its structure (S11/12PS-IIIc-15)
Relate the polarity of a molecule to its properties(S11/12PS-IIIc-16)

After going through this module, you are specifically expected to:
1. Differentiate polar molecule from non-polar molecule;
2. Determine whether the bond between atoms is polar, nonpolar, or ionic based
on electronegativity difference; and
3. Relate the polarity of a molecule to its properties.
 What’s In
Directions: Based on your understanding of the formation of heavier elements
during stellar nucleosynthesis, complete the table below by writing the reactants
and chemical equations of the following elements.

Reactant Reactant Atomic # Mass # Chemical Equation Product

1 2
Helium Ti
Helium Ar
Helium Si
Helium Cr
Helium Mg

What I Know

Identify the key term referred in each statement. Write your answer on a
separate sheet of paper.

1. A bond between molecules which electrons are equally shared.

2. A type of bond that exists when two bonded atoms are not
equally bonded, one atom is partially positive and the other is
partially negative.

3. A bond formed between two identical atoms with relatively

close electronegativity values.

4. It is a result of uneven distribution of charges of atoms in a

molecule.

5. It is the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons.

 Lesson

1 Molecular Polarity

The bond polarity is a result of combining atoms of element having different

electronegativity values. If we have more complex molecules, it may deal with
molecular polarities which is the result of the total of all individual bond polarities.
The covalent bond is formed when two identical atoms evenly shared their electrons.
This can be classified into two: non-polar covalent bond and polar covalent bond.
When the two atoms having similar electronegativity will share electrons equally.
This bond is referred as non-polar covalent bond. On the other hand, when two
bonded atoms are not equally distributed the electrons, one atom is more
electronegative than the other atom, this bond is polarized, meaning one atom is
partially positive and the other atom is partially negative. This type of bond is polar
covalent bond.

What’s In

What is the game being shown in the pictures? Have you tried playing this game with
your friends or classmates? Can you describe each team? Who is the team going to
win?
A B

In picture A, the two princesses are pulling the prince toward to them. It shows that
the prince is equally shared to the princesses. In covalent bond, it would be classified
as non-polar since the bonding electrons are evenly shared.
In picture B, it clearly shows that unbalanced number of persons in each side. Let
us say that the 2 persons is hydrogen (H) and the 7 persons is fluorine (F), the
electrons of two bonded atoms will not share equally. This bond is called polar. In
this case, it will form HF, fluorine is more electronegative than H. F attracts bonding
electron pair closer to itself then it will become polarized. As a result, F end is
partially negative and the atom of hydrogen becomes partially positive.
 Notes to the Teacher
This learning module will help the learners to determine the
molecule whether polar or non-polar based on their properties and
electronegativity difference. Furthermore, several learning activities
are provided to deepen the learners’ understanding in determining
molecular polarity of the molecules.

What’s New

Molecular Polarity
The two bonding atoms with different electronegativity values will result to have a
bond polarity. When molecules become more complex will result to have a molecular
polarity. The molecular polarity refers to the total of the bond polarity of bonded
molecules. In this case, first we must have to determine if a molecule is a polar or
non-polar. A non-polar molecule is symmetric. If a molecule is symmetric meaning
all electrons are equally shared or bonded. For instance, methane has a chemical
formula of (CH4). It is a tetrahedral molecule and an example of non-polar bond.
CH4 is a non-polar

Total no. of Ve- = 4 + 1(4) = 8

4 is the Ve- for C

4 is the total Ve- for H (H has 1 Ve- since there are 4 atoms of H
therefore, the total Ve- for H is 4)

8–8=0
8 is the total Ve-
8 is the total electrons bonded (4 H are bonded with 2 electrons
each)
0 means all electrons are bonded
Bond angles of methane (CH4)

The polar molecule is asymmetric, meaning the distribution of electrons in a covalent

bond is not equal. It also contains lone pairs of electrons on the central atom or atom
is bonded with different electronegativity values. Polarity is a result of uneven
distribution of charges of atoms in a molecule. Covalent bond produces partial
charges either partial positive ( +) and partial negative ( -) among atoms is called
polar covalent bond. An arrow ( ) indicates direction of shared electrons are pulled. For
example, ammonia (NH3) is a polar bond and has a molecular shape of trigonal
pyramidal.
 lone pair NH3 is a polar

Total no. of Ve- = 5 + 1(3) = 8

5 is the Ve- for N

3 is the total Ve- for H (H has 1 Ve- since, there are 3 atoms
of H therefore, the total Ve- for H is 3)

8-6=2

Bond angles of ammonia (NH3) 8 is the total Ve-

6 is the total electrons bonded (3 H are bonded with 2
electrons each)
2 is the lone pair

Hydrobromic acid (HBr) is a polar, since bromine (Br) has electronegativity value of
2.8 while hydrogen has 2.1 electronegativity value. Hence, Br is more
electronegative than H. Therefore, the arrow is directed to Br.
H---Br

+ -

The diatomic molecules such as Br2, O2, N2 and H2 are all non-polar. No atoms are
more electronegative than the other, the bonding electrons are evenly distributed.
The polar bond and non-polar bond can also be determined through electronegativity
difference between molecules. The electronegativity difference can be calculated by
getting the electronegativity value of the given molecules in the periodic table of
elements.
Type of Bond Value of Electronegativity Difference
Non-polar 0-0.4
Polar Less than 1.7
Ionic 1.7 or more

Examples:

Electronegativity Electronegativity
Molecule Type of Bond
Value Difference
O= 3.5
O2 0 Non-polar
O=3.5
H= 2.1
HCl 0.9 Polar
Cl= 3.0
Na= 0.9
NaCl 2.1 Ionic
Cl= 3.0
 What is It

It’s your Turn to Practice!

After reading the text in What’s new. Let us see how far you have learned this topic.

Determine the type of bond exists between the paired elements. Use a separate
sheet of paper for your solution and answer.
1. N (3.0) and H (2.1)
2. H (2.1) and H (2.1)
3. Ca (1.0) and Cl (3.0)
4. C (2.5) and S (2.5)
5. Mg (1.2) and O (3.5)
6. H (2.1) and F (4.0)
7. H (2.1) and Cl (3.0)
8. P (2.1) and s (2.5)
9. S (2.5) and O (3.5)
10. Cl (3.0) and Cl (3.0)

What’s More

Determine whether polar or non-polar the following paired atoms. Then,

arrange the following bonds in order of increasing polarity. Use a separate paper
for your solution and answer.

1. C-O
2. P-S
3. C-S

4. Cl-Br
5. Br-F
 What I Have Learned

1. In polar bond, there is an unequal sharing of electrons between and among

atoms.
2. In non-polar bond, there is an equal sharing of electrons between and among
atoms.
3. The electronegativity is the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract electrons.
As electronegativity increases, the attraction of the atom for electrons
increases.
4. The polarity is a result of uneven distribution of charges of atoms in a
molecule.
5. The non-bonding electrons are called lone pairs. The bonded electrons are
called bonding pairs.
6. In chemistry this symbol has a meaning of: -, partially negative and +,
partially positive.

What I Can Do

Using the periodic table of elements, give and arrange the increasing
electronegativity value of each element. Use another sheet of paper for your
answer.
1. F
2. Cl
3. K
4. Li
5. Si
6. H
7. S
8. Na
9. B
10. Sc
 Assessment

Multiple Choice. Read and analyze each question. Write the letter that
corresponds to your answer on a separate sheet of paper.

1. Which of the following paired atoms is non-polar?

a. Br-F c. H-F
b. H-Cl d. H-P

2. Which of the following bonds has the highest polarity?

a. O-H c. N-H
b. C-H d. C-O

3. Which of the following bonds has the lowest polarity?

a. N-H c. C-H
b. C-O d. O-H

4. Which of the following is the correct decreasing electronegativity values?

a. F, O, N, C c. As, Se, Br, F
b. Cl, S, Si, P d. H, Si, P, S
5. Which molecule has an ionic bond?
a. H-F c. F-F
b. Na-F d. Cl-F

6. Which best describe the shape and polarity of CH4?

a. Tetrahedral polar c. Tetrahedral non-polar
b. Linear non-polar d. Linear polar

7. Which statement is true about the non-polar molecules?

a. They are symmetric. c. They have lone pair on the
b. They are asymmetric. central atom.
d. They have charges
8. If a molecule has this symbol -, it means .
a. Negative c. Positive
b. Neutral d. Cancel out

9. If a molecule has this symbol +, it means .

a. Charge c. Negative
b. Positive d. Neutral

10. If a molecule has value of 1.6 electronegativity difference, this molecule is best
described as .
a. Ionic c. Non-Polar
b. Polar d. Covalent
 Additional Activities

Based on the electronegativity value, determine if the following bonds are non-
polar, polar, and ionic. Use another sheet of paper for your answer and solution.

1. K—Cl
2. N—O
3. H—Cl
4. C—Br
5. C—O
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