Question

Which statement best describes the polarity of CH3Cl? a) The molecule is always polar. b) The molecule is always nonpolar. c) Depending on the arrangement of outer atoms, this molecule could be polar or nonpolar.

Answer 1

Answer:

a) The molecule is always polar.

Explanation:

The molecule is always polar because of two reasons:

• all the bonds are polar due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and hydrogen & carbon and chlorine.

                                              AND IMPORTANTLY

• The molecule is asymmetrical meaning that the dipoles cannot cancel each other out (like they do in methane or carbon dioxide for example) so the net effect is a polar molecule.