Question

This sketch of a neutral molecule is shaded red or blue wherever the electrostatic potential at the molecule's surface isn't zero. What could the chemical formula of the molecule be?

Answer 1

The electrostatic potential is the work done to remove the charge. The molecule showing the potential map shows that it is HI.

What is electronegativity?

Electronegativity is the elemental property to attract the electron toward the atom and is affected by atomic number and the atomic radius. The map shows that the molecule is made of two different atoms and has linear geometry.

Due to the linear geometry, the molecule cannot be Br₂ and SO₃ as they are nonpolar and nonlinear respectively. Similarly, BrF and ICl can be eliminated as they are interhalogen compounds. In the HI molecule, the hydrogen atom is a cation and the iodine atom is an anion that has high electronegativity differences.

Therefore, HI is the molecule depicted in the potential map.

Learn more about the electrostatic potential here:

brainly.com/question/14889552

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