JEE MAIN - Chemistry (2024 - 27th January Evening Shift - No. 26)

The number of non-polar molecules from the following is _________. $$\mathrm{HF}, \mathrm{H}_2 \mathrm{O}, \mathrm{SO}_2, \mathrm{H}_2, \mathrm{CO}_2, \mathrm{CH}_4, \mathrm{NH}_3, \mathrm{HCl}, \mathrm{CHCl}_3, \mathrm{BF}_3$$
Answer
4

Explanation

To determine whether a molecule is polar or non-polar, we must consider the difference in electronegativity between the atoms and the symmetry of the molecule. Polar molecules occur when there is an electronegativity difference between the bonded atoms. Non-polar molecules either do not have any polar bonds or the polarities cancel each other out because of a symmetrical arrangement. Let's consider each molecule individually:

  • HF (Hydrogen fluoride): This molecule is polar due to the high electronegativity difference between hydrogen (H) and fluorine (F).
  • H2O (Water): It is polar because of its bent shape and the difference in electronegativity between oxygen and hydrogen.
  • SO2 (Sulfur dioxide): The molecule is non-linear and has polar bonds, making it a polar molecule.
  • H2 (Hydrogen): This molecule is non-polar because it consists of two identical atoms which share electrons evenly.
  • CO2 (Carbon dioxide): Even though C=O bonds are polar, the molecule is linear and the polarities cancel out, making CO2 non-polar.
  • CH4 (Methane): It is non-polar because the C-H bonds are evenly distributed in a tetrahedral shape, canceling out any dipole moments.
  • NH3 (Ammonia): This molecule is polar; it has a trigonal pyramidal shape with a lone pair on nitrogen, creating a dipole moment.
  • HCl (Hydrogen chloride): The molecule is polar due to the electronegativity difference between hydrogen and chlorine.
  • CHCl3 (Chloroform): It has polar C-Cl bonds and is not symmetrical, resulting in a polar molecule.
  • BF3 (Boron trifluoride): This molecule is non-polar despite having polar bonds, because the shape of the molecule is trigonal planar and the dipoles cancel out.

Given this information, the non-polar molecules from the list are: $$\mathrm{H}_2, \mathrm{CO}_2, \mathrm{CH}_4, \mathrm{BF}_3$$.

Therefore, there are 4 non-polar molecules in the list given.

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