Is HClO polar or nonpolar?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the chemical compound HClO (hypochlorous acid) is polar or nonpolar, which involves understanding the molecular structure and electronegativity differences between the atoms involved.
Answer
polar
The final answer is that HClO is a polar molecule.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is that HClO is a polar molecule.
More Information
HClO is polar due to its molecular geometry and the differences in electronegativity between the atoms, which result in an uneven distribution of charges.
Tips
A common mistake is assuming that the molecule is nonpolar due to the linear arrangement of atoms, but the electron lone pairs on oxygen create an asymmetrical distribution of charge.
Sources
- HClO Compound - Lewis Structure, Polarity - study.com
- What is hypochlorous acid polar or nonpolar? - Proprep - proprep.com
- Is HClO polar or nonpolar? - Pinterest - ca.pinterest.com