Which molecule is nonpolar? (a) \(\mathrm{SO}_{3} ;\) (b) \(\mathrm{CH}_{2} \mathrm{Cl}_{2}\); (c) \(\mathrm{NH}_{3} ;\) (d) FNO.

Short Answer

Expert verified
Among the given molecules, only SO3 is nonpolar.

Step by step solution

01

Examine SO3

SO3 molecule has molecular geometry of trigonal planar and is symmetrical, which means the electron pull of each S-O bond in different directions by the same amount creating balance. Therefore, no permanent dipole would form, rendering the molecule nonpolar.
02

Examine CH2Cl2

Despite the molecule being symmetrical, C-H and C-Cl bonds are polar due to electronegativity difference between C and H and C and Cl, resulting in a net dipole, hence CH2Cl2 is polar.
03

Examine NH3

NH3 has a ‘pyramidal’ shape that means it is not symmetrical and electron pulls will not cancel each other. This shows it to be polar.
04

Examine FNO

The FNO molecule is not symmetrical due to presence of a Lone pair of electrons. Therefore, it is polar because the symmetrical shape criterion is not met.

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