PHYSICAL SCIENCE

WEEK 2

Most Essential Learning Competency/ies:

1. Determine if a molecule is polar or non-polar given its structure.

2. Relate polarity of a molecule to its properties.

Background Information for the Learners (BIL)

Before we proceed in determining polarity of molecules and relating it to

their properties, let us first have a review define some terms that are related to
our lesson.

TERMS DEFINITION
1. Molecule Tightly bound group of atoms in which the atoms
maintain their identity.

2. Electronegativity Measure of the ability of an atom in a molecule to

(EN) draw bonding electrons to itself. The higher the
value of electronegativity, the more it tends to
attract electrons toward itself.

3. Valence Electron The electrons in the valance shell, they are the
electrons involved in forming chemical bonds.

4. Dipole Meaning “two poles”, a positive and a negative

pole within a molecule.

5. Covalent Bond When pair of electrons are shared which

produces molecules, it has 2 types: (1) Polar
covalent bonds, when electron pairs are
unequally shared. (2) Non-polar covalent
bonds, when electrons are equally shared.

6. Miscible Fluids can mix in any proportion without

separating into phases.

7. Immiscible Fluids that do not mix.

2 Factors that Determine the Polarity of Molecules:

1. Polarity of bonds between atoms which can be studied based on

electronegativity. The difference in electronegativity (EN) between
atoms is significant.

Examples of compounds having a polar covalent bond are:

a. HCL, the EN of H = 2.1 and the EN of Cl = 3.0. Their difference in
EN is 0.9
b. HF, the EN of H = 2.1 and the EN of F = 4.0. Their difference in EN
is 1.9.
In these two examples, the separation of charges makes the bond
polar and it creates a dipole. Elements with the higher EN value
become the partial negative pole while elements with the lower EN
value become the partial positive pole.

Examples of compounds having a nonpolar covalent bond are:

a. H2, EN of H = 2.1. the difference in EN is 0.0.
b. Cl2, EN of Cl = 3.0 the difference in EN is 0.0
In these examples, when electron pairs are shared equally or the
difference in electronegativity between atoms is less than 0.5 they
are said to be a non-polar covalent bonds.

In summary, HCl and HF are an example of polar molecule and a

dipole. While H2 and Cl2 are an example of non-polar and not a
dipole. If the difference in electronegativity between atoms is less
than 0.5, they are a non-polar molecule.

Molecule EN2-EN1 = ΔEN Polar or Dipole or not

Non-polar a dipole
HCl H=2.1 – Cl=3.0 =0.9 Polar Dipole

HF H=2.1 – F=4.0 =1.9 Polar Dipole

H2 H=2.1 – H=2.1 =0 Non-polar Not a dipole

Cl2 Cl=3.0 – Cl=3.0 = 0 Non-polar Not a dipole

2. Geometrical shape of the molecule which can be predicted via valence

shell electron pair repulsion (VSEPR) theory.

Molecular geometry is another important factor that determines if a

molecule is polar or non-polar. The valence shell electron pair repulsion
(VSEPR) theory helps predict the spatial arrangement of atoms in a
polyatomic molecule. There are five different geometric shapes under
the VSEPR theory, namely, linear, trigonal planar, tetrahedral, trigonal
bipyramidal, octahedral, and bent.
 Orientation of Predicted Molecular Example
electron pairs bond angles Shape

Linear 180o BeF2

Trigonal 120o BF3

Planar

Tetrahedral 109.5o CH4

Trigonal 90o
bypyramidal 120o PF5
180o

Octahedral 90o SF6

180o

Bent 104.45o H2O

Shape plays an important role in determining the polarity of a molecule.

Study the examples presented in a tabular form and analyze how to determine
the polarity of a molecule based on its molecular shape.

Molecule Orientation of Molecular Shape Polar or

electron pairs Non-polar

H2O Bent Polar

Trigonal
NH3 pyramidal Polar

NO Linear Polar
 CO2 Linear Non-polar

CH4 Tetrahedral Non-polar

CCl4 Tetrahedral Non-polar

Note: Lone pairs has a big factor in making a molecule polar. And the
presence of polar bonds does not automatically make a molecule polar.

The most practical manifestations of polarity are solubility and miscibility.

Solubility refers to the ability of a solute to dissolve in a certain amount of
solvent. Miscibility is the ability of two liquids to mix in all proportions.

ACTIVITY 1
Direction: Match Column A with Column B. Choose the best response
corresponding to the given premise.
Column A: Premises Column B: Responses
1. Fluids that do not mix. A. Molecule
2. Fluids that can be mixed in any
proportion. B. Valence Electron
3. When pair of electrons are
shared which produces C. Ionic Bond
molecules.
4. When electron pairs are D. Covalent Bond
unequally shared.
5. When electrons are equally E. Miscible
shared.
6. Meaning “two poles”, a positive F. Electronegativity
and a negative pole within a
molecule. G. Atoms
7. Electrons involved in forming
chemical bonds. H. Immiscible
8. Measure of the ability of an
atom in a molecule to draw I. Dipole
bonding electrons to itself.
9. Helps predict the spatial J. Solubility
arrangement of atoms in a
polyatomic molecule. K. VSEPR
10. Tightly bound group of atoms
in which the atoms maintain
their identity
 ACTIVITY 2
Direction: Complete the table below.

Molecule ΔEN Draw the Write if Write if

Molecular Dipole or Polar or
Structure not a non-polar
dipole
Ex. CH4 EN of C=2.5 – EN of Not a Non-polar
H=2.1, ΔEN = 0.4 dipole

1. CF4
2. O2
3. HBr
4. PH3
5. SiS2
6. BCl3
7. BF3

ACTIVITY 3:
Direction: Complete the table and scientifically discuss your answer to the
given question.

POLARITY PROPERTY
Vegetable Oil
Water

Question: Relate the polarities of vegetable oil and water with its properties.
Discussed why these two are immiscible.

References: Shipman 2003, pg.285-300

Tillery 2012, pg. 236-243
Physical Science Teaching Guide, 66-77

ANGELIKA B. TORRES
[Link]@[Link]
SANTA ANA FISHERY NATIONAL
HIGH SCHOOL