Is the Lewis structure of BCl3 polar or nonpolar?
Understand the Problem
The question is asking whether the Lewis structure of BCl3 (boron trichloride) is polar or nonpolar. To determine this, we will analyze the molecular geometry and the electronegativity differences between the atoms involved.
Answer
Nonpolar
The final answer is nonpolar.
Answer for screen readers
The final answer is nonpolar.
More Information
Boron trichloride (BCl3) is nonpolar because it has a trigonal planar geometry, causing the dipoles from each B-Cl bond to cancel each other out, resulting in no overall dipole moment.
Tips
A common mistake is to assume that molecules with polar bonds are always polar. It's crucial to evaluate the molecule's symmetry to determine if the dipoles cancel out.
Sources
- BCl3 Molecular Geometry and Bond Angles - unacademy.com
- Boron Trichloride, BCl3 Molecular Geometry & Polarity - tutor-homework.com
- Is BCl3 polar or nonpolar? Explain. - Homework.Study.com - homework.study.com
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