Is HCl a polar molecule?

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CramX · Accepted Answer

Step 1: To determine if HCl is a polar molecule, we need to consider its Lewis structure and molecular geometry.. Step 2: **Lewis Structure of HCl:**. The Lewis structure of HCl can be drawn as follows: H:Cl :---: H - Cl Here, hydrogen (H) has one valence electron and chlorine (Cl) has seven valence electrons. When H and Cl combine, they share their valence electrons to form a covalent bond, resulting in a stable octet for both atoms. Step 3: **Molecular Geometry of HCl:**. The molecular geometry of HCl can be determined using the Valence Shell Electron Pair Repulsion (VSEPR) theory. The central atom (Cl) is surrounded by one region of electron density (the H-Cl bond). Therefore, the molecular geometry of HCl is linear. Step 4: **Electronegativity Difference:**. Hydrogen has an electronegativity of 2.20, while chlorine has an electronegativity of 3.16 (on the Pauling scale). The difference in electronegativity (3.16 - 2.20 = 0.96) is greater than 0.5, indicating that the H-Cl bond is polar. Step 5: **Dipole Moment:**. Due to the polar nature of the H-Cl bond, the chlorine atom attracts the shared electrons more than the hydrogen atom, creating a partial negative charge on the chlorine atom and a partial positive charge on the hydrogen atom. This separation of charges results in a dipole moment. Since the H-Cl bond is polar and the molecular geometry of HCl is linear, the dipole moments of the H-Cl bond vectors do not cancel each other out. Instead, they align in the same direction, creating a net dipole moment. Therefore, HCl is a polar molecule. ** Final Answer: ** HCl is a polar molecule.

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QuestionChemistry

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Step 1:
To determine if HCl is a polar molecule, we need to consider its Lewis structure and molecular geometry.

Step 2:
Lewis Structure of HCl:

Step 3:
Molecular Geometry of HCl:

Final Answer

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