Question
Which of the following is polar? PCl_(5) BH_(3) SCl_(4) SF_(6)
Answer
4.5
(260 Votes)
Joseph
Veteran · Tutor for 10 years
Answer
SCl4
Explanation
Polar molecules happen if there is an electronegativity difference between the atoms. For the structure of the molecule to be polar, there will have to be a net dipole moment. Though PCl5 is a polar molecule intrinsically, because of its symmetrical trigonal bipyramidal shape, the net dipole gets to a value of zero, effectively creating a nonpolar molecule. BH3 is nonpolar mainly because the molecule has a trigonal planar structure and is symmetrical; meaning, net abge vectors constantly meet at the center, and a net cumulative dipole never forms. SCl4 has a pyramid with one lone pair forming a asymmetrical structure creating a net dipole, making it polar. SF6, having six electron clouds to make an octahedral shape, has any two opposite dipoles will cancel out for the molecule to be a nonpolar compound, which blows down to symmetrical structure.