Physical Science

Quarter 1 – Module 3:
Polarity of Molecules
 What I Need to Know

This module was designed and written with you in mind. It is here to help you
determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar. The scope of this module permits it to be
used in many different learning situations. The language used recognizes the varied
vocabulary level of students. The lessons are arranged to follow the standard sequence
of the course. But the order in which you read them can be changed to correspond
with the textbook you are now using.

The module is divided into three lessons, namely:

● Lesson 1 – Polarity of Molecules

After going through this module, you are expected to:

1. differentiate polar and nonpolar bonds;
2. determine the polarity of chemical bonds between atoms using the concept of
electronegativity;
3. familiarize with the different molecular shapes;
4. explain how polarity of bonds and molecular geometry affects the polarity of
molecules.

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 What I Know

Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a separate sheet of
paper.

1. ____ refers to the ability of an atom in a molecule to attract shared electrons.

a. Electron affinity
b. Electronegativity
c. Ionization energy
d. Electromotive force

2. Which of the following statements is TRUE about polar bonds?

a. They are present in metals.
b. They are responsible for the formation of ionic compounds.
c. They always result to the formation of polar molecular compounds.
d. They may result to nonpolar covalent compounds depending on
molecular geometry.

3. What type of chemical bond holds the atoms of water molecule together?
a. Hydrogen bond
b. Ionic bond
c. Polar covalent bond
d. Nonpolar covalent bond

4. Which of the following molecule is nonpolar?

a. NaCl
b. HCl
c. CO2
d. NH3

5. What is the electronegativity difference of C - O?

a. 0
b. 0.5
c. 1.0
d. 1.5

6. Supposedly a hypothetical molecule has an electronegativity difference of 0.5,

what is the type of chemical bond present?
a. Ionic
b. Hydrogen
c. Polar covalent
d. Nonpolar covalent

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7. What is the molecular shape of BeF3?
a. Linear
b. Trigonal
c. Tetrahedral
d. Trigonal bipyramidal

8. A molecule can have a polar bond and still be nonpolar overall. The statement
is ___
a. True
b. False
c. Maybe

9. A polar covalent bond would form in which of the following pairs of atoms?
a. Cl-Cl
b. Mg-O
c. N-H
d. C-S

10. A molecule shape is a three-dimensional arrangement of atoms or bonding

groups around a central atom. The molecular shape is governed by the valence
shell electron repulsion (VSEPR) theory.
a. The first and second statements are true.
b. The first and second statements are false.
c. The first statement is true while the second statement is false.
d. The first statement is false while the second statement is true.

True or False: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write FALSE.

11. The general trend of electronegativity as you move from top to bottom of the
periodic table is increasing.
12. Flourine has the greatest electronegativity while cesium and francium have the
least electronegativity value.
13. Water, with a bent molecular shape, is classified as a polar molecule.
14. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) has six bonded electrons and no lone pair in its
central atom.
15. Hydrogen cyanide (HCN) exhibits a linear geometry.

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Lesson

1 Polarity of Molecules
It is interesting to have a quick glance at the lessons you have learned about
compounds and chemical bonds when you were in Grades 8, 9 and 10. Can you still
recall them? Great!

In Grade 8, you learned that atoms combine to form molecules or compounds

thus making them more stable by achieving a stable configuration satisfying the Octet
Rule. On the other hand, you learned about chemical bonds or intramolecular forces
and its three types such as ionic, covalent and metallic and the writing of Lewis dot
symbol in Grade 9. While in your Grade-10 Science, you have learned the concepts of
electronegativity and you were briefly introduced to the topic polarity of molecules
using the electronegativity values.

Studying this module will certainly increase your understanding about the
polarity of molecules. This module is packed with interesting activities which will
make you enjoy your Chemistry lessons even more. So, are you ready to delve on an
exciting quest for chemistry learning? You may start now by doing the activity below.
Goodluck and happy learning!

What’s In

Chemical bonds are formed when atoms lose, accept or share electrons. An ionic bond
occurs when there is a transfer of one or more valence electrons form one atom to
another. It exists between metal and nonmetal atoms where metal loses electron/s
while nonmetal accepts the electron/s donated by metal. On the other hand, when two
nonmetal atoms combine, neither of them loses or gains electron Instead, electron
pairs are being shared by both atoms and the type of chemical bond formed is called
covalent bond.

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 Notes to the Teacher
Periodic Table is an indispensable tool in studying chemistry. In
order for the learners to answer the above activity, they must first
be familiar on how to use all the information written on the
periodic table. At this point, they should be able to effectively use
the periodic table in order to classify elements as to metal, non-
metal or semi-metals.

Tell whether the compound below is an ionic compound (IC) or covalent compound
(CC) based on the type of chemical bond present.

____1. NaCl _____6. N2O

____2. CO2 ________7. PCl5

____3. CaCl2 _____8.KBr

____4. CCl4 _____9. HCl

____5. Fe2O3 _____10.AlCl3

ANSWER: NaCl, CaCl2, Fe2O3,KBr, and AlCl3 are all ionic compound because the
atoms involved are combination of metal and nonmetal. On the other hand, CO2, CCl4,
N2O, PCl5 and HCl are covalent compounds because the atoms involved are both
nonmetals.

It’s good that you were able to recall the difference between ionic bond and covalent
bond.

You have learned that a covalent is a shared pair of electrons between two atoms. But
are the electrons equally shared by the combing atoms? How does a polar covalent
bond differ from a nonpolar covalent? Did you know that electronegativity of an atom
can be used to further classify covalent bond into polar and nonpolar?

As you perform the activity below, you will find out that substances have different
polarities, and this explains why there are substances that do not mix while others do.

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 What’s New

Activity1: Polarity Experiment

Materials:
• Water
• Vinegar
• Oil
• Alcohol
•6 disposable glasses
•spoon

Procedure:

1. Obtain 6 clean disposable glasses and prepare the following set-up.

Set-up 1: 1 cup water + 5 tablespoons vinegar
Set-up 2: 1 cup water + 5 tablespoons oil
Set-up 3: 1 cup water + 5 tablespoons alcohol
Set-up 4: 1 cup vinegar + 5 tablespoons oil
Set-up 5: 1 cup vinegar + 5 tablespoons alcohol
Set-up 6: 5 tablespoon oil + 5 tablespoons alcohol

2. Thoroughly stir each mixture and observe carefully.

Note: •Do not forget to wash and dry the spoon after each use.
• Properly label each set-up.
• Samples with oil should first be mixed with dishwashing
liquid before disposing down the sink

Guide Question:

a. Which of the following set-ups mixed well? Which did not?

b. What can you infer from the result of this activity?

Or if not feasible, this activity may be performed instead.

Calculate the electronegativity difference and give the type of bond that exists between
the atoms in each of the following pairs.

EN of the first EN of the 2nd

Molecule ∆ EN
atom atom
1. NaCl
2. NH3
3. CH4
4. H2
5. H2O

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 What is It

The polarity of molecules is determined by the two factors: the polarity of bonds based
on the electronegativity difference of the atoms involved and the geometrical shape of
the molecules which can be predicted via valence shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR)
theory.

A. Polarity of Bonds and Electronegativity

In your grade 9 chemistry, you have tackled the lesson on the periodic properties of
elements such as atomic size, metallic property, ionization energy, electron affinity and
electronegativity. Can you still recall the definition of electronegativity? If not, no
problem because I will define it for you.

Electronegativity (EN) measures the relative tendency of an atom to attract electrons to

itself when chemically combined with other atom. Take a look at the electronegativity
values of some elements on Fig.1. What have you noticed? Correct! It increases within
period (from left to right) and decreases within a group (from top to bottom). Take note
also that the higher the value of EN, the more it tends to attract electron towards
itself.

So what is the connection of electronegativity to the polarity of bonds? We could use

the electronegativity values of the atoms involved to get the absolute electronegativity
difference (∆EN) which will help us in predicting what type of chemical bond (ionic,
polar covalent or nonpolar covalent) that would exist between them. Table 1 shows the
type of bond based on the electronegativity difference of bonded atoms.

Figure 1. Pauling Electronegativity values of some elements

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Table 1. Type of bond based on electronegativity difference (∆EN) of bonded atoms

Electronegativity Difference
Type of Bond
(∆EN)
Ionic ≥1.7
Polar Covalent 0.5 to 1.6
Nonpolar Covalent ≤ 0.4

For example, you are asked to predict what type of bond is present between the
following pairs of atoms by determining their electronegativity difference.

1. Ca and Cl
2. Cl and Cl
3. H and Cl
4. S and O
5. C and N
Solution:

1. ENCa = 1.0 (∆EN) = 1.0 – 3.0 = │-2.0│= 2.0 ionic bond

ENCl = 3.0

2. ENCl = 3.0 (∆EN) = 3.0 – 3.0 = 0 nonpolar covalent bond

ENCl = 3.0

3. ENH = 2.1 (∆EN) = 2.1 – 3.0 = │-0.9│= 0.9 polar covalent bond
ENCl= 3.0

4. ENS= 2.5 (∆EN) = 2.5 – 3.5 = │-1.0│= 1.0 polar covalent bond
ENO = 3.5

5. ENC= 2.5 (∆EN) = 2.5 – 3.0 = │-0.5│= 0.5 polar covalent bond
ENN = 3.0

Using the above examples, let us know more about polar and nonpolar covalent
bonds. A polar covalent bond is formed when electrons are shared unequally by two
atoms in a compound. The bonded pair of atoms form an electric dipole (represented

by ). Dipole means “two poles” which means that a molecule has one positive
end and one negative end. In this type of bond, the atom with the higher EN value
becomes the partial negative pole (symbolized as ẟ-) while the atom with the lower EN
value becomes the partially positive (symbolized as ẟ+) pole. Always bear in mind that
the direction of the arrow is always pointing from a more electropositive pole to the
more electronegative pole. Take HCl for example, H is has higher EN than Cl, thus the
direction of the arrow is from H pointing to Cl and there is unequal electron density as
represented by a size of the circle (refer to figure 2). On the other hand, a nonpolar
covalent bond develops if both atoms equally share a pair of electrons between them.

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This occurs when the bonding atoms have approximately equal EN value or equal
ability to attract electrons to each side. Nonpolar covalent bond is an example of bond
formed when two chlorine atoms combine.

(a) (b)

Figure 2. (a) Polar bond between H and Cl and (b) nonpolar bond between two Cl
atoms

B. Polarity of Molecules and Molecular Geometry

You just have learned how to predict the type of bond polarity simply by calculating
the electronegativity difference of atoms (specifically two atoms). The next question is,
how about for those molecules consisting of more than two atoms like H 2O, CCl4, NH3
and CO2? For polyatomic molecules, both the bond polarity and molecular shape
determine the overall molecular polarity. In terms of molecular geometry, the valence
shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory would help us to determine the spatial
arrangement of atoms in a polyatomic molecule.
You can predict the shape or molecular geometry of a substance using the following
steps:
Step 1: Determine the central atom of a molecule. The central atom is the least
electronegative element.
Step 2: Draw the appropriate Lewis dot structure for the molecule.

Step 3: Count the number of bonding pairs of electrons and non-bonding (or
lone pairs) around the central atom.
Step 4: Determine the electron pair orientation using the total number of
electron pairs.

Step 5: Name the shape of based on the location of the atoms

Figure 3. Different Molecular Shapes

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Consider the examples below:

Example 1: Predict the molecular geometry of BCl 3

Step 1: ENB = 2.0 ENCl= 3.0 therefore, B will be the central atom and three
Cl atoms are attached to it. By looking at the chemical formula, you
will also have an idea that boron will be the central atom and three atoms of
choline are attached to it.
Step 2:

Step 3: The central atom has three electron pairs: 3 bonded pairs and no
lone pair
Step 4: The electron pair orientation for three electrons is trigonal planar.
Step 5: The molecular shape of BCl3 is trigonal planar.
Example 2: Predict the molecular geometry of CO 2

Step 1: ENC= 2.5 ENO= 3.0 therefore, C will be the central atom and two
O atoms will be the attached to it. (Use may also use the chemical
formula to predict which atom will be the central atom

Step 2:

Step 3: For the purpose of determining the position of the bonding pairs, let
us count the double bonds as one bonding pair. Therefore, CO 2 has
two bonding pairs of electron.
Step 4: The electron pair orientation for two electron pairs is linear.
Step 5: The molecular shape of CO2 is linear.
Example 3: Predict the molecular geometry of CHCl 3.

Step 1: ENC = 2.5, ENH= 2.1 and ENCl= 3.0. Because carbon is less
electronegative than chlorine and hydrogen is normally terminal atom,
C must be the central atom.

Step 2:

Step 3: There are four bonding electron pairs.

Step 4: The electron pair orientation for four electron pairs is tetrahedral.
Step 5: The molecular shape of CHCl3 is linear.

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 Now that you have learned how to determine the molecular geometry, let us now go
on to our discussion of polarity of molecules based on molecular shapes. You may
study the diagram below and we will use it as our guide.

Is the shape
NO YES
symmetrical
in 3D?

The molecule Are all atoms

is POLAR
NO bonded to the
central atoms
the same?

YES
Note: You must think about a molecule
in 3-D according to VSEPR Theory The molecule
is NONPOLAR

Figure 4. Flowchart to determine if a molecule is polar or nonpolar

Going back to our previous examples, let us try to determine the polarity of
molecules of BCl3, CO2 and CHCl3.
For both BCl3 and CO2, the atoms are symmetrically arranged (trigonal
planar and linear) and the attached atoms to the central atom are also the
same. You must also take note that in a symmetrical molecule, the sum of the
bond dipole is equal to zero (because they cancel out) which leads to the
formation of nonpolar molecule. Therefore, both BCl3 and CO2 are nonpolar. On
the other hand, CHCl3, although it has a symmetrical arrangement
(tetrahedral), the atoms attached to the central atom are not all the same (3
chlorine atoms and 1 hydrogen atom). This causes CHCl3 to become a polar
molecule.
Now, let us see if you fully understood our discussion. I want you to try
answering the exercises below.

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Identify which molecule is polar and which is nonpolar given the Lewis structure and
molecular shapes of the following molecules.

Molecule Lewis Structure Molecular Geometry Molecular Shape

(based on VSEPR)

1. NH3 Trigonal
pyramidal

2. H2O Bent or angular

3. CCl4
Tetrahedral

4. Linear

If you were able to answer that NH 3 and H2O are polar molecules because the bond
dipole cannot be cancelled because of the presence of lone pairs on the central atom
and CCl4 and HBr are nonpolar molecules, you are correct. Job well done! You may
now proceed to the rest of this module.

What’s More

Lewis ∆ Bond Molecular Polarity of

Molecule
Structure EN Polarity Geometry Molecule

1. PCl5

2. BeCl2

3. CH4

4. OF2

5. SF6
So far, we have discussed how polarity of molecules is being determined. At this point,
you will perform the activity below to find out if you fully understood our topic. If you
think you need to go back to the discussion part of this module while answering this
activity, please feel free to do so.

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 What I Have Learned

In your own words, differentiate polar and nonpolar covalent bond.

1. What is electronegativity and how can it be used in in determining the polarity
of molecules?
2. Is it possible for a molecule to have a polar bond but have an overall polarity of
nonpolar?
3. Differentiate bonding and non-bonding electrons.

What I Can Do

Answer the following questions below:

1. Ammonia (NH3) is polar molecule while boron trifluoride (BF3) is a nonpolar

molecule. Explain the difference in the polarity of these compounds.
2. Suppose that AB3E, a hypothetical molecule, is discovered. Predict whether
the molecule is polar or nonpolar by determining its molecular shape.
Note: A – corresponds to central atom,
B - terminal atom
E – lone pair (nonbonding electrons)

Assessment

Multiple Choice. Choose the letter of the best answer. Write the chosen letter on a
separate sheet of paper.
1. The following molecules have polar covalent bonds EXCEPT?
a. NH3
b. CS2
c. BCl3
d. HBr
2. Which of the following bonds is the MOST polar?
a. H-Cl
b. C-Cl
c. H-H
d. N-F

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3. What is the molecular shape of CHBr3?
a. Linear
b. Trigonal planar
c. Trigonal bipyramidal
d. Tetrahedral
4. A nonpolar covalent bond would form in which of the following pairs of atoms?
a. Na-Cl
b. Ca-O
c. P-N
d. C-S
5. From the given Lewis structure of NH3, how many nonbonding pair/s of electron
are around the central atom?
a. 0
b. 1
c. 2
d. 3
6. Which of the following statements is INCORRECT?
a. Polar covalent bonds can be present in a nonpolar molecule.
b. Polar covalent bond is present if the electronegativity difference between
atoms is equal or less than 0.4.
c. Polarity of bond and molecular geometry are the two factors that affect the
polarity of molecules.
d. Polar bond forms when electrons are unequally shared by two atoms in a
compound.
7. What do you call the relative ability of a bonded atom to attract shared electron
pairs?
a. Electron affinity
b. Electronegativity
c. Ionization energy
d. Metallic property
8. Which description below correctly describes polar molecules?
a. Have polar bonds present.
b. The polar bonds are arranged so that they do not cancel.
c. Lone pairs on the central atom are arranged so that they do not cancel.
d. Lone pairs on the central atom are arranged so that they can be
cancelled out.

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 9. Which of the following molecules is tetrahedral?
a. H2O
b. SF6
c. CH4
d. BF3
10. Which of the following is NOT TRUE about CO 2?
a. Has an electronegativity difference of 1.0
b. Polar bond is present
c. Has a linear molecular shape
d. Is a polar molecule
True or False: Write TRUE if the statement is correct, otherwise write FALSE.
11. S and O are bonded by a polar covalent bond because its
electronegativity difference value is 1.0.
12. Atoms with high electronegativity have a greater tendency to attract electrons
toward itself.
13. Polarity of molecules are determined both by polarity of bonds and molecular
geometry.
14. Among C-Cl, H-Cl, C-H and Cl-Cl, only Cl-Cl is polar.
15. Methyl alcohol, CH3OH, is a nonpolar molecule.

Additional Activities

Analyze the following statements and determine if it is correct or wrong.

1. SiCl4 is a nonpolar molecule.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

2. H2S has a linear molecular geometry.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

3. PF5 is a polar molecule.

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

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Bond Molecular Polarity of
Molecule ∆ EN
Polarity Geometry Molecule
1. PCl5 Trigonal
0.8 polar polar
bipyramidal
2. BeCl2 0.5 Polar Linear nonpolar
3. CH4 0.4 Non-polar Tetrahedral nonpolar
4. OF2 0.5 Polar Bent polar
5. SF6 1.7 Polar Octahedral non-polar
What I Know Assessment
1. B What’s More 1. B
2. D 2. D
3. C 1. IC 3. D
4. C 2. 2. CC 4. D
5. C 3. 3. IC 5. B
6. C 4. 4. CC 6. B
7. B 5. 5. IC 7. B
8. A 6. 6. CC 8. C
9. C 7. 7. CC 9. C
10. A 8. 8. IC 10. D
11. F 9. 9. CC 11. T
12. F 10.IC 12. T
13. T 13. T
14. T 14. F
15. T 15. F
Answer Key
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What I Have Learned
1. In your own words, differentiate polar and nonpolar covalent bond.
Answer: Polar bonds are formed when there is an unequal sharing of
electrons between atoms, while nonpolar bonds are formed when
there is equal sharing of electrons between atoms.
2. What is electronegativity and how can it be used in in determining the
polarity of molecules?
Answer: Electronegativity measures the tendency of an atom in a molecule
to attract shared electrons toward itself. The concept of
electronegativity can be used to predict whether the bond will be polar
or nonpolar. If the ∆EN is 0.4 or less, the bond is nonpolar. But if the
∆EN is beyond 0.4 but less than 1.7, the bond is polar.
3. Is it possible for a molecule to have a polar bond but have an overall
polarity of nonpolar?
Answer: Yes. Because polarity of molecule is determined both by polarity of
bond and molecular geometry. A molecule can have a polar covalent
bond but still be classified as a nonpolar molecule as long as its
molecular geometry satisfies the condition of VSEPR theory.
4. Differentiate bonding and non-bonding electrons.
Answer: Bonding electrons are those electrons involved in the formation of
covalent bonds while lone pair (nonbonding electrons) refers to a pair
of valence electrons that is not shared with another atom in a covalent
bond.
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Additional Activities:
1. SiCl4 is a nonpolar molecule.
Correct. Though polar bond is present because ∆EN is 0.8, SiCl4 is still
classified as nonpolar molecule because it has a tetrahedral geometry and
the central atom does not have lone pair.
2. H2S has a linear molecular geometry.
Incorrect. H2S has a bent molecular geometry which gives it an upwards net
dipole moment. Two partially positive hydrogen atoms are attached to the
more electronegative central atom, sulfur. The molecule is represented by
AB2E2 representation wherein the central atom also has two lone pairs.
3. PF5 is a polar molecule.
Correct. Though the value ∆ EN is 1.9 (polar bond is present), Phosphorus
pentafluoride (PF5) exhibits a trigonal bipyramidal based on VSEPR theory
making the overall molecule nonpolar.
What I can do
1. Ammonia (NH3) is polar molecule while boron trifluoride (BF3) is a nonpolar
molecule. Explain the difference in the polarity of these compounds.
Answer: Polarity of molecule is determined by its molecular geometry. Since NH 3
has a trigonal pyramidal shape, with four electron pairs (3 bonding pairs and
1 nonbonding pair/lone pair), this makes it polar. On the other hand, BF 3
has a trigonal planar geometry with three bonding pairs of electron and
central atom has no lone pair, making it nonpolar.
2. Suppose that AB3E, a hypothetical molecule, is discovered. Predict whether
the molecule is polar or nonpolar by determining its molecular shape.
Note: A – corresponds to central atom,
B - terminal atom
E – lone pair (nonbonding electrons)
Using the concept of VSEPR theory, a molecule with an AB3E
configuration will exhibit a trigonal bipyramidal shape and therefore it is
nonpolar.