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# Question 26 of 64
Draw the Lewis structure of C₃H₈Cl₂ (both Cl atoms on one C atom) and then determine if the molecule is polar or nonpolar.
| A) Nonpolar | |
| --- | --- |
| B) Polar | |
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Answer
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Step 1:I'll solve this step by step using proper Lewis structure drawing and polarity analysis:
Step 2:: Determine Total Valence Electrons
- Total valence electrons: $$12 + 8 + 14 = 34$$ electrons
- Carbon (C): 4 valence electrons × 3 carbons = 12 - Hydrogen (H): 1 valence electron × 8 hydrogens = 8 - Chlorine (Cl): 7 valence electrons × 2 chlorines = 14
Step 3:: Arrange Atoms and Initial Bonding
- Place carbons in a chain - Attach hydrogens to carbons - Place both chlorines on one carbon
Step 4:: Draw Lewis Structure
\text{H}_3\text{C-C(Cl)_2-\text{CH}_3
- Create single bonds between carbons - Attach hydrogens to outer carbons - Place both chlorines on the middle carbon - Distribute remaining electrons as lone pairs The Lewis structure will look like:
Step 5:: Check Formal Charges
- Verify each atom's formal charge is minimized - Ensure octet rule is satisfied for all atoms
Step 6:: Polarity Analysis
- Chlorine is electronegative - Two chlorines on one side create an uneven electron distribution - Molecule will have a net dipole moment - Asymmetric electron distribution means the molecule is polar
Final Answer
The molecule \text{C}_3\text{H}_8\text{Cl}_2 is polar due to the uneven distribution of electronegative chlorine atoms on one carbon.
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