Is boron trifluoride polar?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether boron trifluoride has a net dipole moment, which relates to its molecular geometry and the electronegativity of its constituent atoms. We will determine if the molecule is polar by analyzing its shape and the distribution of charge.
Answer
non-polar
The final answer is non-polar
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is non-polar
More Information
Even though each B-F bond in boron trifluoride (BF3) is polar due to the electronegativity difference between boron and fluorine, the molecule itself is non-polar. This is because BF3 has a trigonal planar geometry, causing the dipole moments to cancel out.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that if a molecule has polar bonds, it must be polar. Always consider the geometry of the molecule to determine if the dipole moments cancel out.
Sources
- Polar and Non-Polar Compounds - learningcenter.unt.edu
- Boron Trifluoride - BYJU'S - byjus.com
- BF3 Non-polar - CHEMISTRY COMMUNITY - lavelle.chem.ucla.edu
AI-generated content may contain errors. Please verify critical information
