Which phrase describes the molecular polarity and distribution of charge in a molecule of carbon dio

January 2018 NY Regents Chemistry Exam

9 Which phrase describes the molecular polarity and distribution of charge in a molecule of carbon dioxide, CO2?
(1) polar and symmetrical
(2) polar and asymmetrical
(3) nonpolar and symmetrical

(4) nonpolar and asymmetrical

Solution: CO2 has the following structural formula: O=C=O. It is a symmetrical molecule and is therefore nonpolar. Symmetrical molecules are nonpolar and asymmetrical molecules are polar.

Answer: 3

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