Why is a molecule of CO_2 nonpolar even though the bonds between the carbon atom and the oxygen atoms are polar?

1 Answer
anor277
Jan 12, 2017

"Because the C=O dipoles are horizontally opposed.........."

Explanation:

"......and their VECTOR sum gives no resultant dipole."

CO_2 is a linear molecule, and the /_"O"-"C"-"O" is 180^@. Dipoles are vector quantities; they have magnitide and direction. While there is charge separation, i.e. polarity, in an individual "C"="O" bond, the resultant vector from the sum of the individual bond dipoles in the ""^(delta-)"O"="C"^(delta+)="O"^(delta-) molecule is clearly ZERO. The same thing is observed with the "CCl"_4 molecule, but not with the "CHCl"_3 or "CH"_2"Cl"_2 molecule. Capisce?

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