Teach students how to decide whether a molecule is polar or nonpolar with this free printable worksheet.
Try these polarity questions online before (or after) you print the worksheet. Click an answer to check it, or open "Show answer" for the explanation.
Which bond is the most polar?
Answer: O–H. O–H has the largest electronegativity difference: 3.44 − 2.20 = 1.24.
In an H–Cl bond, which atom has the partial negative charge (δ−)?
Answer: Cl. Cl is more electronegative (3.16 vs 2.20), so it pulls the shared electrons closer.
Is CO₂ polar or nonpolar?
Answer: nonpolar. CO₂ is linear. The two C=O dipoles are equal and opposite, so they cancel.
Is H₂O polar or nonpolar?
Answer: polar. H₂O is bent because of the 2 lone pairs on O, so the O–H dipoles add up.
Is CCl₃F polar or nonpolar?
Answer: polar. CCl₃F is tetrahedral, but the C–F and C–Cl dipoles are different sizes, so they don't cancel.
Is TeF₆ polar or nonpolar?
Answer: nonpolar. TeF₆ is octahedral with six identical Te–F bonds. The dipoles cancel.
Is KrF₄ polar or nonpolar?
Answer: nonpolar. KrF₄ is square planar: the lone pairs sit opposite each other and the four Kr–F dipoles cancel.
Is NHF₂ polar or nonpolar?
Answer: polar. NHF₂ is trigonal pyramidal (1 lone pair on N), so the dipoles don't cancel.
Each statement below has an error. Work out the correct version, then check your answer.
CCl₄ is polar because C–Cl bonds are polar.
CCl₄ is nonpolar. It is tetrahedral with four identical bonds, so the dipoles cancel.
A C–S bond is polar.
A C–S bond is nonpolar. The electronegativity difference is only 0.03.
BCl₂F is nonpolar because it is trigonal planar.
BCl₂F is polar. The outer atoms are different, so the B–F and B–Cl dipoles don't cancel.
SbF₃ is nonpolar like BF₃.
SbF₃ is polar. Sb has a lone pair, so SbF₃ is trigonal pyramidal, not flat.
Want more practice? Download the free printable worksheet and answer key above.