Name: Steven Gomescoello

Lab Partner: _________________________

Date: 1/12/12

Models of Molecular Compounds

Physical and chemical properties of molecules depend not only on their composition, but also on their molecular shape. The type of reaction a molecule undergoes, its boiling point, freezing point, and solubility all depend on its molecular shape. The shape of a molecule can be predicted by identifying the number of atoms attached to the central atom and the number of lone pairs of electrons present in the molecule. Thus far, we have studied the following shapes: linear, bent, trigonal pyramidal, tetrahedral, and trigonal planar. Polarity of the bond When two atoms come together to form a compound, the type of bond formed depends on the electronegativity difference between the two elements (see table 1). If the two atoms have similar electronegativity values the electrons are shared equally; a covalent bond is formed and it is said to be non-polar. If the difference in electronegativity between the two atoms is greater than 0.4 but less than 2.0, a covalent bond is formed and it is said to be polar. In a polar covalent bond the electrons are shared unequally, the shared electrons spend more time around the more electronegative element. If the electronegativity difference between the two atoms exceed 2.0, an ionic compound is formed.

Polarity of the molecule. 1. If the bonds in the molecule are non-polar the molecule is also non-polar. 2. If the bonds are polar the molecule is a. Nonpolar, if the polar bonds are arranged around a central atom in such a way that their charges cancel each other out. b. Polar, if the polar bonds are arranged in such a way that the molecule ends up with 2 opposite poles (dipole). Polarity of the molecule depends on the bonds and the shape. In this lab, you will build molecular models to show the three-dimensional shape of different molecules, you will identify the shapes and determine whether the compound formed is polar or non-polar.
Pre-Lab Questions

1. What is a non-polar covalent bond? A non-polar covalent bond is a bond in which electrons are shared between elements having a difference in electronegativity of less than 0.4.

2. What is a polar covalent bond? A polar covalent bond is a bond in which electrons are shared between elements having a difference in electronegativity of greater than 0.4 but less than 2.0. 3. How is bond polarity determined? Bond polarity is determined by the difference in the electronegativity of two atoms that bond together. 4. Is the bond formed between carbon and oxygen polar or non-polar? The bond formed between carbon and oxygen is polar because if you subtract the electronegativity of oxygen (about 3.5) by carbon (about 2.5) you get 1 which according to the table makes the bond polar. 5. Is Carbon dioxide a polar or a non-polar molecule? Explain. Carbon dioxide is a non-polar molecule because the molecular arrangement itself (O = C = O) causes an equal pulling of electrons in both directions, thus their charges cancel each other out making the molecule non-polar. 6. Predict the bond type (ionic, polar covalent, non-polar covalent) for the following, show the electronegativities differences for each pair. a. b. c. d. e. f. Na and Cl: 3.16 - 0.93 = 2.23 C and H: 2.55 - 2.20 = 0.35 S and O: 3.44 - 2.58 = 0.86 N and N: 3.04 - 3.04 = 0 Al and Cl: 3.16 - 1.61 = 1.55 Al and F: 3.98 - 1.61 = 2.37 Ionic Non-polar Moderately Polar Non-polar Very Polar Ionic

7. What factors determine if a MOLECULE is polar or non-polar? 1. If the bonds in the molecule are non-polar the molecule is also non-polar. 2. If the bonds are polar the molecule is a. Non-polar, if the polar bonds are arranged around a central atom in such a way that their charges cancel each other out. b. Polar, if the polar bonds are arranged in such a way that the molecule ends up with 2 opposite poles (dipole).

Table1: Models of Molecular Compounds

Formula Sketch Dot diagram Bond type* (polar/nonpolar) Type of molecule (polar/nonpolar) Shape

H2

HCl Cl2 H2O

CH4

NH3

CH3Cl

CCl4

C2H6

O2

CO2

C2H4

C2H2

HCOOH

(PO4) 3-

N. A.

CONCLUSION 1. Which shapes always produce polar molecules? ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 2. List the NONPOLAR MOLECULES which have POLAR BONDS. ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________

3. Both water and carbon dioxide are molecules composed of one central atom attached to the other two atoms via a single bond. Water is polar while carbon dioxide is nonpolar. Explain why. ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 4. Why is CH3Cl polar, while CCl4 is non-polar? ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 5. The polarity of a substance can have a great effect on its solubility. A rule of thumb for solubility is like dissolves like. Knowing this general rule, can you predict the polarity of alcohol if you know that alcohol dissolves in water? ________________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________________________________ ________________________________________________________________________ 6. Classify each of the compounds using one of the following: Polar covalent bonds in polar molecules Polar covalent bonds in nonpolar molecules non polar covalent bonds in nonpolar molecules a) I2__________________________________________________________________ b) CBr4_______________________________________________________________ c) H2S________________________________________________________________ d) NaF________________________________________________________________