Which molecule is nonpolar?

• A.
• B.
• C.
• D.

Answer: (C)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Identify the molecular geometry of each molecule. For example, the first molecule (CH3F) is tetrahedral, the second molecule (C2H2Br2) is planar, the third molecule (C-N) is linear, and the fourth molecule (CH2Cl2) is tetrahedral.
2. Determine the electronegativity of the atoms involved in each molecule. Fluorine, bromine, nitrogen, and chlorine are more electronegative than carbon and hydrogen, which can lead to polar bonds.
3. Analyze the symmetry of each molecule. A nonpolar molecule typically has a symmetrical distribution of charge, which means the dipole moments cancel each other out.
4. For the first molecule (CH3F), the presence of a highly electronegative fluorine atom creates a dipole moment, making it polar.
5. For the second molecule (C2H2Br2), if the bromine atoms are on opposite sides, the dipole moments can cancel out, making it nonpolar. However, if they are on the same side, it would be polar. The third molecule (C-N) is polar due to the difference in electronegativity between carbon and nitrogen. The fourth molecule (CH2Cl2) is polar because the dipole moments do not cancel out due to its geometry.