Question

Choose the polar molecule from the following:

• A. $CH_2=CH_2$
• B. $CHCl_3$
• C. $CCl_4$
• D. $CO_2$

Answer 1

Answer: (B)

$CHCl_3$

Answer 2

Among the given options, CHCl3 (chloroform) is polar due to the asymmetrical arrangement of chlorine and hydrogen atoms around the central carbon, resulting in a net dipole moment. In contrast:

• CCl4: Tetrahedral symmetry with four identical C-Cl bonds cancels out the dipole moments, making it non-polar.
• CO2: Linear molecule with symmetrical C=O bonds cancels out dipole moments, making it non-polar.
• CH2=CH2: Ethene has a planar structure with symmetrical bonds, making it non-polar.

Thus, CHCl3 is the only polar molecule.