I keep getting “Molecular polarity” questions wrong in Chemical Bonding & Molecular Structure. What's the trap?
calling any molecule with polar bonds a polar molecule.
The usual trap: calling any molecule with polar bonds a polar molecule. How to avoid it: symmetry can cancel dipoles — shape matters as much as bonds. Go back to the definition — a molecule is polar only if bond dipoles don't cancel, which depends on both electronegativity and shape.
Key point
Molecular polarity
Common mistake
calling any molecule with polar bonds a polar molecule.
Memory tip
symmetry can cancel dipoles — shape matters as much as bonds.
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