Structure and Bonding: Polar molecules

Covalent bonds within molecules (inter) are strong. If some of these bonds are polar the molecule can have a permanent dipole. This influences  the size of the Van der Waals forces between molecules (intra).

Van der Waals forces and permanent dipoles.

  • The steps involved in deciding whether a molecule has a permanent dipole include:
  • Deciding if there is a significant electronegativity difference between atoms in the covalent bonds. Are there polar bonds in the molecule?
  • From the Lewis diagram predict the shape of the molecule.
  • Is the shape  symetrical with a zero vector addition of dipoles (non polar molecule)
  • Is the shape asymetrical with a non zero vector addition of dipoles ( polar molecule)
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