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QuestionChemistry

The carbon tetrabromide molecule, CBr^4, is A. a polar molecule with polar bonds. B. a nonpolar molecule with polar bonds. C. a nonpolar molecule with nonpolar bonds. D. a polar molecule with nonpolar bonds.
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Answer

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Step 1:
Let's solve this step by step:

Step 2:
: Understand the Molecular Structure

- Carbon tetrabromide (CBr4) has a tetrahedral molecular geometry - Carbon is at the center, with four bromine atoms symmetrically arranged around it

Step 3:
: Analyze Bond Polarity

- Electronegativity difference: $$|2.96 - 2.55| = 0.41
- Carbon-bromine (C-Br) bonds are polar - The electronegativity difference between carbon and bromine creates bond polarity - This indicates polar covalent bonds

Step 4:
: Evaluate Molecular Polarity

- In a tetrahedral geometry, the individual bond dipoles are symmetrically arranged - The symmetry causes the bond dipoles to cancel each other out - Result: Net molecular dipole moment is zero

Step 5:
: Conclusion

- Polar bonds (C-Br) are present - But the molecule itself is nonpolar due to symmetric arrangement

Final Answer

A nonpolar molecule with polar bonds.