What is the difference between a polar molecule and a non-polar molecule? Can non-polar molecules be formed by polar atoms?

Polar molecules are those that have permanent dipoles. A permanent dipole occurs due to a difference in the electronegativity of the atoms involved in the bond. You might not be familiar with the term ´electronegativity`. This term reflects how strongly an atom pulls electrons.  Therefore very electronegative atoms pull electrons strongly. An example is Fluorine.  Finally, non-polar molecules can be formed by polar atoms. This is very commonly seen in O2 or  CO2. Their bonds are polar but they are in fact non-polar molecules. 

Answered by Adrian G. Chemistry tutor

6714 Views

See similar Chemistry GCSE tutors

Related Chemistry GCSE answers

All answers ▸

What is an acid?


What are strong and weak acids? How do they differ from diluted and concentrated acids?


what is a catalyst


why are all atoms neutral?


We're here to help

contact us iconContact usWhatsapp logoMessage us on Whatsapptelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo
Cookie Preferences