Question

The Lewis structures of four compounds are given. In the first molecule sufur is the central atom. There are two oxygen atoms bonded to the sulfur atom through double bonds. There is one lone pair of electrons on the sulfur atom and two lone pairs of electrons on each oxygen atom. In the second molecule carbon is the central atom. There are two oxygen atoms bonded to the sulfur atom through double bonds. There are two lone pairs of electrons on each oxygen atom. In the third molecule carbon is the central atom. There are two chlorine atoms and two hydrogen atoms bonded to the carbon atom through single bonds. Each chlorine atom contains three lone pairs of electrons. In the four molecule phosphorus is the central atom. There are three chlorine atoms bonded to the phosphorus atom through single bonds. There is one lone pair of electrons on the phosphorus atom and three lone pairs of electrons on each chlorine atom. Which of these molecules are polar?

Answer 1

Answer:

Compound 1. Sulfur Dioxide

Compound 3. Dichloromethane

Compound 4. Phosphorus Trichloride

(figure attached)

Explanation:

Compound 1. Sulfur Dioxide

Polar compound

Through the Lewis structure it is confirmed that SO₂ is a polar compound, because it is an asymmetric compound having two regions of different polarity. The lower region having oxygen groups is more electronegative then the upper region.

Compound 2. Carbon Dioxide

Non polar Compound

Through the Lewis structure it is confirmed that CO₂ is a non polar compound, because it is a symmetric compound having two regions of same polarity. The left region and the right region both contains oxygen groups having same electronegativity.

Compound 3. Dichloromethane

Polar compound

Through the Lewis structure it is confirmed that CH₂Cl₂ is a polar compound, because it is an asymmetric compound having two regions of different polarity. Two chlorine atoms are attached to it and as we know that chlorine is a more electronegative element than hydrogen so it attracts the bonding pair of electrons towards itself which creates polarity.

Compound 4. Phosphorus Trichloride

Through the Lewis structure it is confirmed that PCl₃ is a polar compound, because three chlorine atoms attached to it and as we know that chlorine is a more electronegative element so it attracts the bonding pair of electrons towards itself which creates polarity.