Question #5981b

1 Answer
Aug 30, 2016

Here's why that happens.

Explanation:

Carbon tetrachloride, #"CCl"_4#, is a nonpolar molecule because of its molecular geometry.

In order for a molecule to be polar, it must have a net dipole moment. In the case of carbon tetrachloride, that net dipole moment is equal to zero.

Here's why that is the case.

The #"C" -"Cl"# bond is indeed quite polar. Chlorine is more electronegative than carbon, which means that it will attract the bonding electrons more.

Consequently, a partial negative charge, #delta^(-)#, will appear on the chlorine atom and a partial positive charge, #delta^(+)#, will appear on the carbon atom.

http://www.chemguide.co.uk/atoms/bonding/electroneg.html

A bond dipole moment will thus appear for each of the four #"C"-"Cl"# bonds that exist in a molecule of carbon tetrachloride. Because these four bonds are identical, theese dipole moments will also be identical in magnitude.

Now, carbon tetrachloride has a tetrahedral molecular geometry. This means that the resultant of any three #"C"-"Cl"# bonds will always

  • be equal in magnitude
  • have an opposite direction

with the fourth. In other words, no net dipole moment will exist because the four bond dipole moments that arise from the polar #"C"-"Cl"# bonds will cancel each other out.

http://schoolbag.info/chemistry/mcat_2/20.html