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Molecular Polarity (Simplified) definitions

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  • Molecular Polarity
    Overall distribution of electrical charge across a covalent molecule, determined by both shape and bond polarities.
  • Electronegativity
    Relative ability of an atom to attract shared electrons in a chemical bond, influencing bond polarity.
  • Covalent Molecule
    Structure formed by atoms sharing electrons, where overall polarity depends on both shape and bond characteristics.
  • Nonpolar Molecule
    Species with even electron distribution, often hydrocarbons or compounds with perfect shapes and identical surrounding atoms.
  • Polar Molecule
    Species with uneven electron distribution, typically due to lone pairs on the central atom or differing surrounding atoms.
  • Hydrocarbon
    Compound consisting solely of carbon and hydrogen atoms, typically exhibiting nonpolarity.
  • Perfect Shape
    Molecular geometry where the central atom has zero lone pairs and all surrounding atoms are identical.
  • Lone Pair
    Non-bonding valence electron pair on the central atom, often causing molecular polarity.
  • Lewis Dot Structure
    Diagram showing valence electrons around atoms, used to predict molecular shape and polarity.
  • Central Atom
    Atom in a molecule to which other atoms are bonded, whose lone pairs and neighbors determine overall polarity.
  • Electron Group
    Region of electron density around a central atom, including bonds and lone pairs, influencing molecular geometry.
  • Bond Polarity
    Degree of unequal electron sharing between two atoms, resulting from differences in electronegativity.