Question

What two factors determine whether a molecule is polar or not?

Answer 1

Answer:

electronegativity of bonded atoms and shape.

Explanation:

if the shape of molecule is symmetric it will non polar. The polar molecules are trigonal in shape.

Sodium chloride is ionic compound. The electronegativity of chlorine is 3.16 and for sodium is 0.93. There is large difference is present. That's why electron from sodium is transfer to the chlorine. Sodium becomes positive and chlorine becomes negative ion and compound is polar.

Covalent bond:

It is formed by the sharing of electron pair between bonded atoms.  

The atom with larger electronegativity attract the electron pair more towards it self and becomes partial negative while the other atom becomes partial positive and compound will polar.

For example:

In water the electronegativity of oxygen is 3.44 and hydrogen is 2.2. That's why electron pair attracted more towards oxygen, thus oxygen becomes partial negative and hydrogen becomes partial positive.