Is carbon tetrafluoride polar or nonpolar?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) has a polar or nonpolar molecular structure. To answer this, we need to analyze the molecular geometry and the electronegativity of the involved atoms.
Answer
Nonpolar
The final answer is carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) is nonpolar.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) is nonpolar.
More Information
Although CF4 contains polar C-F bonds, the molecular geometry is tetrahedral, which causes the dipole moments to cancel out, resulting in a nonpolar molecule overall.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that the presence of polar bonds in a molecule automatically makes the molecule polar. Always consider the molecular geometry and symmetry.
Sources
- The web page with info on - Chem FSU - chem.fsu.edu
- Quora discussion on CF4 polarity - quora.com
- Chegg solution on CF4 polarity - chegg.com