Is PO4^3- polar or nonpolar?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the phosphate ion (PO4^3-) is polar or nonpolar. To determine this, we need to consider the molecular geometry and the electronegativity of the atoms involved.
Answer
nonpolar
The PO4^3- ion is nonpolar
Answer for screen readers
The PO4^3- ion is nonpolar
More Information
The phosphate ion (PO4^3-) is nonpolar because it has a symmetrical, tetrahedral shape. The dipole moments of the P-O bonds cancel each other out, resulting in no net dipole moment.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that a molecule with polar bonds is necessarily polar. The overall shape and symmetry must be considered.
Sources
- Draw the Lewis structure for PO4^3-. What is the geometry of the central atom? Is it polar or nonpolar? - homework.study.com
- In chemistry, PO4 is nonpolar, but in biology, the phosphate functional group (PO4) is polar. How so? - homework.study.com
- Dipole moment of PO4^3- - lavelle.chem.ucla.edu
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