Is CO2 a polar or nonpolar molecule?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether carbon dioxide (CO2) is a polar or nonpolar molecule. This pertains to the molecular structure and the distribution of electrical charges within the molecule.
Answer
CO2 is a nonpolar molecule.
The final answer is CO2 is a nonpolar molecule.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is CO2 is a nonpolar molecule.
More Information
CO2 is a nonpolar molecule because its linear geometry means that the dipole moments of the two C=O bonds cancel each other out.
Tips
A common mistake is thinking that because CO2 has polar bonds, the molecule itself is polar. It's important to consider the overall molecular geometry.
Sources
- Principles of Chemical Science - MIT - ocw.mit.edu
- Why is carbon dioxide a non polar molecule, even though the C O bonds are polar? - byjus.com
- Bond and Molecular Polarity - Chemistry LibreTexts - chem.libretexts.org
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