Question

What factors impact the polarity of a molecule?

		The 3-D arrangement of atoms in space.
		The electronegativity difference between the atoms involved in the bonds present in the molecule.
		Both a & b impact molecular polarity.
		Neither a or b impact molecular polarity.

Answer 1

Polar bond is a bond which formed between two atoms which has significant difference in electronegativity.

The molecule is polar if it has at least one polar bond.

So the electronegativity difference between participating atoms affects the polarity of molecule.

For example When two identical atoms i.e. flourine atoms are connected by a covalent bond, the electrons are shared equally and the bond is non polar.

The atom with greater electron-attracting ability has greater electronegativity. It will have a partial negative charge and the other atom will have a partial positive charge . We can say that the bond is polar and has a dipole because it has partially positive pole and partially negative pole.

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Molecular geometry influences several properties of substance like polarity, reactivity,color,magnetism and biological activity.

Molecular geometry is nothing but a 3-Dimensional arrangement of the atoms that constitute a molecule. It includes the general shape of the molecule as well as bond lenght bond angle and any other geometrical parameters that determines the position of each atom.

Therefore 3-D structure affects the polarity of molecule.

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Hence both a and b impact the polarity of molecule.