Chapter 6: Q. 6.84 (page 203)

The molecules ${CH}_{4}$ and ${CH}_{3} Cl$ both have tetrahedral shapes. Why is ${CH}_{4}$ nonpolar whereas ${CH}_{3} Cl$ is polar?

Short Answer

Expert verified

${CH}_{4}$ is nonpolar and ${CH}_{3} Cl$ is polar due to dipole moment.

Step by step solution

Given information

We are given that both ${CH}_{4}$ and ${CH}_{3} Cl$ have tetrahedral shape.

Simplify

In ${CH}_{4}$ all of the atoms around the centre element (carbon) in a molecule of methane are equal (four hydrogens), and thus has a net dipole moment of $0$ . (vectors of dipole moments cancel each other, dipole moment is zero). but There are various elements (one chlorine and three hydrogen atoms) surrounding the centre atom (carbon) in the chloromethane ${CH}_{3} Cl$ molecule, and thus has a greater net dipole moment. Therefore ${CH}_{4}$ is nonpolar whereas ${CH}_{3} Cl$ is polar.

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The molecules ${CH}_{4}$ and ${CH}_{3} Cl$ both have tetrahedral shapes. Why is ${CH}_{4}$ nonpolar whereas ${CH}_{3} Cl$ is polar?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Given information

Simplify

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The molecules CH4and CH3Clboth have tetrahedral shapes. Why is CH4 nonpolar whereas CH3Cl is polar?

Short Answer

Step by step solution

Given information

Simplify

One App. One Place for Learning.

Most popular questions from this chapter

Recommended explanations on Chemistry Textbooks

Kinetics

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Study anywhere. Anytime. Across all devices.

The molecules ${CH}_{4}$ and ${CH}_{3} Cl$ both have tetrahedral shapes. Why is ${CH}_{4}$ nonpolar whereas ${CH}_{3} Cl$ is polar?