Question

Which molecule is nonpolar and has a symmetrical shape hcl?

Answer 1

HCl is considered as polar molecule and that is incorrect answer, The choices provided are A) HCl , B) CH₄ , C) H₂O, D) NH₃

And the correct answer is : B) CH₄

In case of H₂O and NH₃ the high difference in electronegativity between nitrogen or oxygen and hydrogen make the bonds acquire partial charges and become polar while in case of CH₄ the difference in electronegativity between carbon and hydrogen is only 0.4 so it considered as non-polar bond
also carbon connected from all directions with Hydrogens

Answer 2

$\boxed{{\text{D) C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}}}$ is nonpolar and has a symmetrical shape.

Further Explanation:

The polarity of a chemical bond can be determined by the difference in the electronegativities of the bonded atoms present in the molecule. If electronegativity difference exists between two bonded atoms, the bond is said to be polar and vice-versa. Also, the symmetry of the molecule plays a significant role in governing the polarity of the bond. A symmetrical molecule will always be nonpolar due to cancellation of the individual dipole moments and the contribution to the net dipole moment becomes zero.

A) ${\text{N}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{3}}}$  

In this molecule, there exists an electronegativity difference between nitrogen and hydrogen. N is more electronegative than H so it attracts the electron pairs towards itself, resulting in some net dipole moment in ammonia. So this molecule is polar in nature and lacks any type of symmetry (For structure, refer to the attached image).

B) HCl

Here, chlorine is more electronegative than hydrogen so this molecule is polar due to the presence of electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. There is no symmetry of any kind in this molecule (For structure, refer to the attached image).

C) ${{\text{H}}_{\text{2}}}{\text{O}}$

In this molecule, oxygen is more electronegative than hydrogen so this molecule is polar in nature. There is no symmetry in the water molecule (For structure, refer to the attached image).

D) ${\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}}$  

Here, the central carbon atom is surrounded by four hydrogen atoms. These hydrogen atoms are located in a symmetrical position with respect to carbon atom so this molecule is symmetrical in nature. The electronegativities of both carbon and hydrogen atoms are nearly similar to each other so this molecule is nonpolar in nature (For structure, refer to the attached image).

Therefore, ${\text{C}}{{\text{H}}_{\text{4}}}$ is nonpolar and has a symmetrical shape.

Learn more:

1. Identification of ionic bonding: brainly.com/question/1603987
2. What type of bond exists between phosphorus and chlorine? brainly.com/question/81715

Answer details:

Grade: High School

Chapter: Ionic and covalent compounds

Subject: Chemistry

Keywords: CH4, NH3, H2O, HCl, electronegativity, polar, nonpolar, carbon, hydrogen, symmetry, symmetrical shape, molecule.